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CCLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Jan. 30, 2026) – USA Volleyball has announced a new multiyear partnership with leading media rights and venue development company JMI Sports, which will serve as the organization’s exclusive property sales representative. With more than 600,000 members and an estimated 63 million fans nationwide, the agreement represents a major milestone in advancing USA Volleyball’s commercial strategy and brand growth through industry-leading corporate partnership and multimedia rights initiatives.
“This partnership marks a defining moment for USA Volleyball as we continue to expand the reach and visibility of our sport,” said John Speraw, President and CEO of USA Volleyball. “JMI Sports brings exceptional expertise in building meaningful brand partnerships, and together we will unlock new opportunities that elevate volleyball’s profile, support our athletes, and inspire the next generation of players across the country.”
JMI Sports will act as USA Volleyball’s exclusive commercial sales and activation partner, driving sponsorship growth and brand engagement on behalf of the organization. The timing of this announcement comes amid unprecedented momentum for the sport. USA Volleyball recently secured the bid to co-host the 2027 FIVB Women’s World Championship with Canada, the first time the event will be held in North America, while also preparing to take center stage at the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles. These consecutive global events create high-visibility platforms for integrated brand partnerships that deliver substantial value through association with world-class competitions.
Domestic growth mirrors this global attention. According to the National Federation of State High School Associations, volleyball is ranked as the second most-played girls high school sport in 2024-25, with nearly half a million participants, while boys participation has grown more than 11% in the last year alone to nearly 96,000 athletes. These trends highlight volleyball’s dynamic landscape and its power as a platform for brands to connect with athletes and fans at every level.
To capitalize on this momentum, JMI Sports will lead USA Volleyball’s corporate partnership strategy through 2030. This includes securing brand relationships, developing customized sponsorship solutions and executing integrated campaigns across events, digital media and community touchpoints. Fully aligned with USA Volleyball’s mission to expand access, opportunity and excellence, JMI Sports will drive long-term financial growth across all levels of the sport.
Founded in 2006, JMI Sports is a leader in sports sponsorships and multimedia rights management. Its portfolio includes institutions with elite volleyball programs such as UCLA, the University of Kentucky, the University of Pittsburgh, the University of Utah, and Notre Dame. JMI Sports will also manage sponsorship sales for the 2026 Opening Spike Classic, a two-day women’s college volleyball tournament in Pittsburgh, Pa., on August 28 and 30, featuring top programs from Pitt, Kansas, Stanford and Wisconsin, and televised nationally on ESPN. This experience in volleyball-rich markets positions JMI Sports to extend its success to USA Volleyball.
“As JMI Sports enters our 20th year representing sports projects, properties, and brands, we are thrilled to partner with USA Volleyball and apply our years of collegiate volleyball expertise to this property during an era of unprecedented momentum,” said Erik Judson, Co-Founder and CEO of JMI Sports. “USA Volleyball represents a rare opportunity: global competition, grassroots participation, and year-round engagement across every level of the sport. Our strategy is focused on building deep, integrated partnerships with brands that recognize the magnitude of this platform and want to grow with it. This is a property that will experience unprecedented growth, scale, and purpose in the coming years, and we are proud to help drive its future.”
To lead these efforts, JMI Sports appointed Erika Quiel as Vice President of Partnerships for the USA Volleyball property, reporting to Senior Vice President Pete Thuresson. In this role, Quiel leads sponsorship strategy, focusing on driving new revenue, strengthening brand partnerships, and delivering lasting value to USA Volleyball and its stakeholders. Quiel brings a proven track record of success building high-impact partnerships at iHeartMedia and NBCUniversal, where she led teams in business development and corporate sponsorships. With deep industry expertise and a results-driven mindset, Thuresson and Quiel are well-positioned to lead this next chapter of USA Volleyball’s partnership strategy.
“Our focus with USA Volleyball is on delivering results where it matters most,” said Thuresson. “With our team and resources on the ground, we can identify the right partnership opportunities, execute them effectively, and make a tangible impact for athletes, fans, and brands. Volleyball in the U.S. is at an exciting inflection point, and we are committed to leveraging this momentum to grow the partnership portfolio and create lasting value for all stakeholders.”