SportsBiz Madness: 2025 Case Study Tournament

In the Elite Eight round of our annual SportsBiz Madness Case Study Tournament, students were challenged to create a comprehensive marketing plan to support the launch of Major League Volleyball (MLV), a brand-new professional women’s volleyball league. With teams set to debut in 2026 and the Omaha Supernovas leading the way as the founding franchise, students were tasked with helping MLV stand out in a crowded landscape alongside competitors like PVF, LOVB, and Athletes Unlimited (AU).

Teams were required to submit a complete marketing strategy covering brand identity, fan experience, revenue generation, promotion, grassroots outreach, and—most importantly—a creative plan to differentiate MLV from other professional volleyball leagues.

Congratulations to the four schools who are advancing in this year’s tournament.

FINAL FOUR SPOTLIGHT:

Flower Mound High School, Texas (2nd Period)

Students from Flower Mound (2nd period) delivered a highly interactive, tech-driven, and practical strategy that positioned MLV as a bold and immersive fan experience — all while continuing the school’s tradition as a powerhouse in this competition.

With a brand built on passion and energy, and a tagline of “Spike Your Passion, Elevate the Game,” this group presented a thoughtful vision for a league designed to engage fans through both innovation and emotional connection. What set their submission apart was their ability to balance creative fan interaction ideas with feasible execution.

Highlights from their campaign included:

• LED wristbands that synced with the energy of the game
• Real-time in-app fan voting for songs, halftime show elements, and MVPs
• Collectible mystery pins sold at games to encourage repeat attendance and revenue
• Themed game nights (Retro Night, Mascot Night, etc.)
• A fantasy volleyball league with in-app monetization
• And a clever PR stunt featuring MLV players going undercover at local schools to generate viral buzz ahead of the launch

Their promotional plan featured a pre-launch countdown campaign, surprise pop-up events, and thoughtful integration of influencers and social media challenges to build buzz. Ultimately, Flower Mound’s success came from its ability to deliver a fan-first experience that felt both creative and achievable. The strategy wasn’t just bold, it was innovative, growth-oriented, and comprehensive enough to be implemented immediately with real-world results.

Way to go, Flower Mound. Welcome back to the Final Four!

Deep Run High School, Virginia

Students from Deep Run High School took a unique and imaginative approach by positioning MLV as a league exclusively for athletes under the age of 21, creating a unique identity focused on developing the next generation of volleyball stars. While this concept doesn’t reflect MLV’s current real-world structure, the challenge asked students to find a way to differentiate the league — and this team did exactly that. Their U21 model offered a compelling and internally consistent vision that set MLV apart from competing pro volleyball leagues.

Their tagline, “The Future of Volleyball Starts Here,” aligned seamlessly with the brand’s purpose, and their campaign was grounded in creative, real-world strategies that would provide MLV with dynamic marketing opportunities, including:

• A robust SWOT analysis identifying the benefits and risks of a youth-focused model
• A grassroots pipeline through local camps, clinics, and training partnerships
• Dynamic game-day experiences, including a “Volleyball Village,” VIP fan interactions, and immersive in-game content
• A solid revenue strategy involving tiered ticketing (including premium seating and luxury suites), exclusive merchandise, and an aggressive sponsorship plan designed to offer partners highly engaging digital activations

What really stood out was the cohesion, every element of the plan worked together to reinforce the league’s identity as a launchpad for rising stars. This wasn’t just a collection of random ideas thrown together to see what might stick; the group presented a thoughtfully integrated marketing strategy with a clear purpose and direction. While some may debate the mainstream appeal of a U21-only league, this team’s vision demonstrated real growth potential, creative thinking, and strategic focus, making the concept feel unique and viable.

Congrats to Deep Run students for developing a differentiated and professional plan that met the challenge head-on. Welcome to your first Final Four appearance!

Grant High School, Oregon

Grant High School students built an incredibly bold and empowering league identity, positioning MLV as the electric new face of women’s professional volleyball. With the tagline “Harness Your Power,” their campaign fused high-energy aesthetics, immersive tech, and a strong message of female athleticism and confidence.

Their brand personality stood in sharp contrast to the current pro leagues — breaking from the traditional and embracing a neon-charged, youth-focused experience. Some highlights included:

• A professional-grade hype video showcasing the league’s aesthetic and energy
• Mockups of social media posts, merch collections, and event flyers
• A unique court design strategy using LED lighting, synced music, and visuals
• A digital-first marketing approach amplified through Twitch partnerships and influencer campaigns
• Content marketing focus, including a Netflix mini-docuseries titled Behind the Net

Their revenue model was just as dynamic — blending ticket sales, merch, content partnerships, and strategic brand sponsorships with both national and local corporate partnerships, highlighted by partnerships with local bars and restaurants in host cities to create viewing events and deepen grassroots support.

One area where the plan could have gone further was its ticket promotion strategy. More detail on theme nights, group sales, or promotional tactics (including giveaways) could have elevated the campaign’s rollout. Still, Grant students’ comprehensive approach to building a long-term success plan for MLV is undeniable. This team didn’t just design a brand — they delivered an experience.

Congrats to Grant High School students for earning a well-deserved spot in the Final Four!

Wichita East High School, Kansas

Wichita East High School advances to the Final Four with an excellent strategy that positioned Major League Volleyball (MLV) as more than just a league—it’s a movement. Their tagline, “More Than a League, It’s a Volleyball Revolution,” captured a brand’s identity built on empowerment, athleticism, and community.

Students delivered a well-integrated marketing plan with a SWOT analysis that was both comprehensive and thoughtful, connecting all the dots in building a strategy for the league’s short- and long-term success. Their campaign blended immersive fan experiences with innovative technology — from mic’d-up players and LED court visuals to fan voting, trivia, and themed game nights. Every piece of the game day experience was designed to engage fans and keep them coming back.

Their revenue strategy stood out in a category where many teams missed the mark. While several entries overlooked key financial elements like ticketing, sponsorships, and media deals, Wichita East recognized how critical these components are to the league’s financial sustainability and growth potential. Their plan included traditional revenue drivers such as ticket sales and merchandise, as well as high-impact opportunities through sponsorship and streaming partnerships, all of which are essential for building a successful professional sports league from the ground up.

Wichita East created a campaign that was both visionary and executable. Well done, and congratulations on reaching the Final Four!

UPDATED BRACKET:

Congrats to those students who advanced to the Final Four round of the competition, and good luck!