A college volleyball match between the University of Nebraska at Lincoln (UNL) Cornhuskers and the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) Mavericks earlier this year broke the world record for the most attended women’s sports event. The event was attended by about 92,000 people. 

There are some who actively campaign for women’s pro sports leagues. In all likelihood, though, people who want to accomplish this advocate casually and may be missing out on some significant opportunities. The audience is the most important aspect of a new professional team’s success, and Omaha itself could see such a chance.  

Both a professional women’s hockey and professional women’s volleyball league will debut in 2024. The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) is comprised of six teams, half of which are in the United States and half of which are in Canada. The Professional Volleyball Federation (PVF) is currently comprised of seven teams, all based in the U.S. 

Many casual advocates for more opportunities in professional women’s sports leagues do not seem aware of these leagues. 

Omaha itself has a PVF team, the Supernova. Nebraska hosted the world record game at a collegiate level, yet many residents know nothing of the professional opportunities that are being made for those same players in their very own vicinity.  

Central High School itself has 12 girls’ sports teams, including volleyball. Commitment to an extracurricular sport is a hobby for most, but some aspire beyond college sports. Professional leagues for these sports are where they should be able to find it, and it’s clear from looking at the popular landscape of sports in the U.S. that women don’t get that opportunity like men do. 

Eight of the 10 most attended women’s sports games in the world are professional international soccer games. Two percent of college athletes overall make a professional league, but for women, this statistic is 0.8% of athletes. 

For professional women’s leagues to be a success and for any progressive equality to be made in all professional sports, we, as sports fans, need to support these ventures. Omaha itself has a chance to accomplish more for women in professional sports, and we as a community must take this opportunity while we have it.  

Supporting our local PVF team could mean more chances for women in professional sports in the future, accomplishing a common goal that many young people will share. Not only that but catching a PWHL or PVF broadcast could also go a long way in recognition for these leagues and women’s professional sports.