Major League Volleyball: The Rise and Fall of a Women's Pro League
In the late 1980s, the United States saw a bold attempt to professionalize women's athletics with the launch of Major League Volleyball (MLV). Established in 1987, the MLV aimed to provide a high-level platform for the country's top female volleyball talent, bridging the gap between collegiate success and international competition.
The league operated for a brief but intense period, attempting to implement a unique business model and a fair compensation structure for its athletes. Despite its ambitions, the league disbanded on March 20, 1989, during its third season.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Key Facts
- Founded: 1987 in the United States.
- Duration: Operated from 1987 until March 20, 1989.
- League Size: Consisted of 6 teams.
- Player Base: Primarily former Olympians and college All-Americans.
- Broadcasting: Partnered with ESPN for regular season and championship coverage.
League Structure and Compensation
The MLV launched with six teams, each composed of nine players. To ensure fairness and simplify administration, the league adopted an egalitarian pay scale, which removed the need for individual contract negotiations.
Every player received a base salary of $5,500 per season. To incentivize performance, the league implemented a system of bonuses:
- Team Bonuses: Awarded for each victory and for finishing in the top three.
- Championship Bonus: The winning team received $25,000.
- Individual Bonuses: Players could earn extra money for excelling in six specific statistical categories; for instance, the leader in serving aces received an additional $3,000.
Ownership and Management
The MLV was led by two commissioners: Steve Arnold (1987–1988) and Lindy Vivas (1988–1989). Arnold, an attorney and experienced sports agent with ties to the World Football League, American Basketball Association, World Hockey Association, and World TeamTennis, designed the league's initial financial structure.
For the first two years, the league had no independent team owners. Instead, it was managed by six major shareholders. This changed before the third season in 1989, when the MLV transitioned to a licensing model, granting ownership groups the rights to the six teams for an initial fee of $100,000 each.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Player Eligibility and Recognition
The MLV draft targeted American players who had exhausted their collegiate eligibility and were not currently playing for a professional league abroad or on the U.S. national team. Notably, a trust agreement with the USVBL allowed players to maintain their Olympic eligibility while playing professionally.
The league also recognized individual excellence through the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. The inaugural MVP in 1987 was Rita Crockett, followed by Ruth Lawson of the Minnesota Monarchs in 1988.
Attendance and Media Presence
The MLV secured a broadcasting contract with ESPN, which aired 10 regular-season games on a tape delay, along with a playoff game and live coverage of the championship match. This exposure helped drive early attendance, with crowds ranging from 350 to 3,000 during the opening weeks of 1987.
The league's peak attendance occurred during the 1988 three-day championship tournament at Williams Arena. The event drew a total of 7,072 spectators, with a record-breaking 3,404 fans attending the semifinal match between the San Jose Golddiggers and the Minnesota Monarchs on May 20.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Operational Challenges
Despite the professional aspirations, the league faced significant logistical hurdles. In its first season, the teams had only two sets of warmups to share among them for the first two weeks. Furthermore, the official game uniforms, which were ordered from Japan, remained in quarantine until just two days before the season began.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Active Years | 1987–1989 |
| Number of Teams | 6 |
| Base Player Salary | $5,500 per season |
| Championship Prize | $25,000 |
| Record Attendance | 3,404 (Single match) |
| Broadcasting Partner | ESPN |
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Major League Volleyball operate?
The league was founded in 1987 and operated until it folded on March 20, 1989, during its third season.
How were the MLV players paid?
Players earned a base salary of $5,500 per season, supplemented by bonuses for team victories, top-three finishes, and individual statistical achievements.
Who were the MVP winners of the MLV?
The MVP award was given to Rita Crockett in 1987 and Ruth Lawson of the Minnesota Monarchs in 1988.
Did playing in the MLV affect a player's Olympic eligibility?
No, players retained their Olympic eligibility through a trust agreement with the USVBL.
What was the record attendance for a single MLV match?
The record was 3,404 spectators, achieved during the semifinal match between the San Jose Golddiggers and the Minnesota Monarchs on May 20, 1988.