John Speraw Says Volleyball Is Poised For A Breakthrough Before LA28

John Speraw, the Director of National Teams for USA Volleyball, views the upcoming LA28 Olympics as a crucial turning point for American volleyball. His main goals are to secure medals and promote the sport among youth, tackling the high cost of youth sports. He emphasizes that women's volleyball is the largest team sport for girls in America, but it is not as commercially developed as other sports, creating a significant growth opportunity.

The 2027 World Championships in Anaheim is seen as a potential catalyst to boost the sport's mainstream appeal. Speraw envisions volleyball becoming a commercial engine to reinvest, increase access, and ensure long-term success for the sport. He believes volleyball can play a pivotal role in addressing the financial barriers in youth sports by expanding accessibility and participation.

With the LA28 Games approaching in less than two years, Speraw sees the sport standing at a significant crossroads in its history. He believes the American volleyball programs for men's and women's indoor, beach, and sitting volleyball are well-positioned for the upcoming Olympics. The women's team, in particular, is set to compete for podium finishes in all three volleyball disciplines.

Speraw is pleased with the progress made in the beach volleyball program, noting encouraging results, especially from the men's side. The women's team continues to excel, thanks to the growth of NCAA beach volleyball, which has established a strong foundation for potential Olympic medalists like Taryn Brasher and Kristen Cruz. Speraw's primary concern lies beyond Olympic competition, focusing on the affordability of youth sports for American families.

He highlights the increasing challenge of expensive club systems that require substantial financial commitments, limiting access to organized sports. Speraw sees volleyball as an opportunity to become part of the solution by increasing the number of children participating and providing better access to the sport. He views this as both a social responsibility and a competitive necessity, as a broader participation base strengthens future Olympic teams.

This perspective aligns with LA28's emphasis on community engagement and youth involvement in Southern California. Speraw's most compelling insight is about the evolving economics of women's sports. While volleyball has become the largest girls' team sport in America, it remains commercially underdeveloped compared to sports like basketball, soccer, and even softball.

Despite the sport's strong participation numbers, television audiences, expanding professional leagues, and Olympic success creating recognizable stars, sponsorship revenue has lagged behind. Speraw believes this gap represents a major opportunity for volleyball, as it seeks to tap into greater cultural relevance and attract major sponsors like Ford, Microsoft, and Apple. He sees this as a crucial aspect of volleyball's future growth and visibility.