Major League Volleyball Introduces Marquee Player Exception

New salary-cap mechanism gives every MLV team an optional tool to attract and retain elite professional talent globally while maintaining competitive balance across the league.

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Major League Volleyball (MLV) has announced the introduction of the MLV Marquee Player Exception, a new salary-cap mechanism designed to allow teams to attract and retain more elite professional talent while preserving the league's existing salary-cap structure and competitive balance.

The new salary-cap exception gives every MLV team an equal and optional opportunity to make a significant investment in additional players while preserving the league's existing financial framework for the remainder of each roster. The new mechanism also creates a pathway for teams to compete for high-profile collegiate players entering professional volleyball through the MLV Draft.

"MLV is committed to building the premier professional volleyball league in the world and that means creating the right environment to attract and retain more of the very best players in the sport," said Jaime Weston, Commissioner of Major League Volleyball. "This exception gives every team the same opportunity to make strategic investments in designated players while maintaining the competitive balance and salary-cap structure that are foundational to our league and differentiate us in professional volleyball."

How the Exception Works

Each MLV team may designate up to two marquee players:

• One Seasoned Marquee Player: An established professional athlete who meets league eligibility requirements and can help a team strengthen its roster and build for the future.
• One Rookie Marquee Player: An elite collegiate player selected in the MLV Draft who begins their professional career with MLV immediately during the season after the draft.

The Marquee Player Exception allows a team to designate certain compensation for a marquee player outside of the standard salary-cap structure, subject to the league's luxury tax. All marquee player contracts remain subject to MLV's roster, contract, registration and eligibility rules.

"MLV should have the ability to allow all teams to compete for global talent," said Cole DeVos of the Grand Rapids Rise, who serves as co-chair of the competition committee. "This structure gives our teams that flexibility while protecting the integrity of the roster and salary-cap system for the rest of the league. Just as importantly, it gives MLV teams the opportunity to pursue the next generation of athletes as they enter professional volleyball."

Building MLV's Global Talent Base

MLV's long-term goal is to build the world's leading pro volleyball platform and attract talent from the U.S. and abroad. The Marquee Player Exception strengthens that vision by giving teams greater flexibility to recruit and retain additional top athletes while complementing MLV's broader investments in player compensation, benefits, competition, broadcast coverage, and the fan experience.

"This is an investment in the future of MLV," said DeVos. "Our ambition is not simply to retain individual players. It is to create an environment where professional athletes can build meaningful, visible and financially sustainable careers in professional volleyball."

The Marquee Player Exception will be incorporated into MLV's salary-cap and roster regulations and will take effect with the 2026 MLV Draft for eligible NCAA players entering the league for the 2027 season and with 2028 free agency for Seasoned Marquee Players.

"As women's sports continue to experience significant momentum and commercial growth globally, MLV is building the structural foundation required to support athletes, teams and fans for the long term," Weston added.

The 2026 MLV Draft will take place on November 23, 2026.

About Major League Volleyball

Major League Volleyball (MLV) is the premier professional volleyball league in the United States, designed to provide the sport and its athletes with the major league platform they deserve. Founded on a player-first philosophy, MLV combines elite competition, significant investment in athlete development, experienced professional sports ownership from every other U.S. professional league and a commitment to long-term growth of volleyball across the country. As the league enters its fourth season in 2027, MLV will expand to 12 teams from coast-to-coast and continue to create top-level, lasting opportunities and memories for players, coaches and local communities while leading the way in solidifying the future of professional volleyball in North America. For more about MLV, visit MLVB.com and follow the league on Instagram, Facebook, X and YouTube.

SOURCE Major League Volleyball