Zaza Pachulia Joins MLV LA as League Launches 2027 Plan
zaza pachulia is tied to Major League Volleyball’s Los Angeles launch as the league moves toward its inaugural 2027 season. The franchise gives MLV a new foothold in a major market and puts its operations at the NantWorks campus in El Segundo.
Patrick Soon-Shiong Leads MLV LA
Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong is the majority owner and founder of MLV LA, and he said the franchise is about building more than a team. “This is about building more than a team; it is about building a lasting platform for the future of women’s professional sports,” he said.
He also said, “Los Angeles gives us a unique opportunity to bring together elite competition, advanced technology, media innovation and world-class infrastructure in a way that can redefine the future of professional volleyball.”
That launch sits inside a bigger league plan. Major League Volleyball enters its fourth season in 2027, and the Los Angeles team is part of the league’s broader expansion as it tries to widen its footprint in the United States.
NantWorks Campus In El Segundo
The new franchise will be anchored by the expansion of the NantWorks campus in El Segundo. That campus will serve as a hub for team operations, administration and athlete performance, giving the club a fixed base before it plays its first match.
Ben Priest will serve as governor and managing partner of MLV LA. He previously served as the Governing Owner of the Omaha Supernovas before the launch of the MLV LA venture, bringing league experience into the new market.
Priest said, “Los Angeles gives us the opportunity to build on the momentum of the first three MLV seasons in a market that naturally brings together sports, media, entertainment and culture.” He added, “We’re focused on long-term growth for the league, its athletes and the sport.”
Alisha Childress Takes Charge
Alisha Childress will serve as the team’s first head of competition and head coach. She said, “Los Angeles deserves a pro volleyball franchise that reflects the ambition, diversity and energy of this city.”
Her first task is straightforward: build the team around the city’s pro debut and set standards on and off the court. “Our goal is to build a world-class environment where elite athletes can compete, grow and inspire the next generation,” she said.
Jaime Weston, the commissioner of Major League Volleyball, said, “Adding Los Angeles is an important step in the growth of Major League Volleyball and our long-term vision for the sport in the United States.” The league also said the official team identity, branding and inaugural creative campaign will be unveiled in the coming weeks, the first public reveal for a franchise now set up for 2027.
