San Francisco’s next pro sports obsession is officially on the calendar. League One Volleyball has awarded the city a professional women’s volleyball franchise, with the new team set to start play in January 2027. The club will be guided by a women-first ownership group and chaired by Jes Wolfe, the CEO of Rebel Girls.
According to LOVB, the expansion franchise, branded LOVB San Francisco, is backed by a deep roster of sports figures, entrepreneurs and Olympians. The group includes founding athlete Kelsey Robinson Cook and Bay FC co-founders Brandi Chastain, Leslie Osborne and Danielle Slaton. The league says the team will debut in January 2027 and is designed to tap into the region’s established youth and collegiate volleyball pipeline. LOVB also framed the move as part of a broader expansion that will add clubs in Los Angeles and Minneapolis in 2027.
Wolfe told viewers on ABC7@7 that fans can expect community programs and roster news to roll out as the club builds toward opening night. As reported by ABC7, the ownership group has already kicked off a public team-naming contest and is soliciting suggestions from Bay Area fans. The contest page on LOVB SF also offers sign-ups for news and early ticket access.
Coaching and Front Office
LOVB has tapped Alfee Reft, who departed UCLA after three seasons as head coach, to lead LOVB San Francisco from the bench, with Stephanie Martin named owner and team president. The league highlighted Reft’s work with the U.S. national team and his reputation for building tightly connected programs in explaining the hire. In the league’s release, founding athlete Kelsey Robinson Cook said, “He couldn't be a more perfect fit for this team,” according to LOVB.
What to Expect Next
The ownership group says it will announce a home venue and release ticket information later in 2026 as it prepares for the January 2027 opener. In the meantime, fans can jump into the naming contest and sign up for updates on the team site while the front office locks in roster decisions, community programs and youth partnerships, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
