Kate Greenberg has been named team president of Washington, D.C.'s forthcoming Major League Volleyball franchise, putting a familiar local sports executive at the center of the city’s latest pro team. The ownership group behind the expansion wants to stage home matches at Audi Field and is exploring how to make the soccer venue workable for indoor volleyball. Greenberg will oversee the franchise's business operations as the club gears up for public launches and ticket sales, as per the Washington Business Journal.
As reported by the Washington Business Journal, the hire was announced Tuesday and is paired with active discussions about adding a roof at Audi Field so home matches can go on without weather interruptions. In Drew Hansen’s reporting, the ownership group is described as pressing stadium partners on potential modifications while the team prepares to market itself to D.C. fans.
Greenberg's local sports résumé
The Washington Spirit brought Greenberg on in a senior marketing role in 2023 after her work with the Nationals' philanthropy arm, and her résumé already includes several local sports and event posts. She has also overseen business and event operations for other regional teams, according to a DC Defenders news release on The UFL, giving her hands-on experience running fan programs and partnerships in the District.
Where this franchise fits in MLV's growth
Major League Volleyball is in expansion mode as investors and team-builders look to deepen the pro women’s sports footprint in U.S. cities. Forbes recently detailed league leadership moves and expansion plans, and league materials and coverage outline a rollout that brings new markets online, Washington among them, as the MLV builds toward fuller competition. Pro Volleyball's announcement about the merged-league plan shows MLV using 2026 as a buildup year ahead of inaugural franchise play in 2027, which helps frame Greenberg's first-year priorities.
A roof at Audi Field?
One practical hurdle for the D.C. franchise is Audi Field's open-air design and the obvious role weather plays in volleyball. According to the Washington Business Journal, backers are pushing for a roof or cover so the site can reliably host indoor matches and related events. Audi Field is the District's soccer stadium and home for NWSL play, per the team's public contact information, and any structural changes would require buy-in from stadium operators along with city permitting.
What to watch next
In the coming months, expect the franchise to concentrate on venue agreements, ticket and sponsorship strategy, and community outreach as it prepares to introduce itself to D.C. fans. League documents and reporting show MLV intends to use 2026 to roll out new markets and then bring competitive play to expansion cities like Washington in 2027, making the next year a crucial stretch for operations and roster-building. Local fans should keep an eye out for filings on potential stadium modifications, official season dates, and the team's first community events and ticket announcements.
Greenberg's hire gives the D.C. ownership group an experienced local operator to steer partnerships and fan growth as the city joins a fast-developing professional volleyball landscape. With league leaders and investors signaling steady expansion, the coming year could determine whether D.C. becomes a durable home for pro volleyball.
