The chief executive of Volleyball World has declared his organisation's integration into CVC Capital Partners' newly formed Global Sport Group an "immediate win" for the sport's global development.
A Strategic Powerhouse in Sports Investment
Private equity giants CVC Capital Partners, whose impressive sporting portfolio already includes the Six Nations rugby tournament, Spain's LaLiga, Premiership Rugby, and France's Ligue 1, have consolidated their assets into one mega sport fund. This $14 billion fund is chaired by former EE chief Marc Allera and is understood to serve, in part, as a showcase for potential future investment from Gulf sovereign wealth funds.
Ugo Valensi, the new chief executive of Volleyball World and former Grand Slam Board figure, sees significant advantages to being part of this powerful sporting collective. "They've hired advisers and people working with them that can be a support for us," Valensi exclusively told City AM.
Collaborative Marketing and Commercial Opportunities
Valensi highlighted the immediate practical benefits already emerging from the partnership. "I see an immediate proof of that on the marketing side," he explained. "All of our CMOs and digital officers from all the different sports participating in GSG are connecting really closely. CVC organised a workshop last week to brainstorm ideas together."
However, the Volleyball World chief noted that commercial collaboration presents more complex challenges. "On the commercial side it is probably more complicated, because we are intrinsically different beasts," Valensi stated. "Other sports, which are more domestic, especially on the football or rugby side, are overly reliant on media. We're quite different because we are a very diversified business between hosting major events, sponsorship, media and betting."
Global Expansion and Asian Market Focus
Volleyball World operates as a joint venture between the sport's governing FIVB body and CVC Capital Partners. Since taking the helm three months ago, Valensi has already confirmed both women's and men's world championships will be hosted in the United States, Qatar, and Philippines.
The executive revealed plans to view the sport through an increasingly important Asian lens, recognising the rapid development of volleyball fandom across the continent. This strategic focus aligns with Volleyball World's broader global expansion ambitions.
Valensi, who previously served as chief executive of the Sportfive marketing agency before selling the business to private equity firm H.I.G Capital in 2020, expressed confidence in CVC's investment in volleyball. He described it as "clear" that the private equity firm's backing was a good decision, predicting continued growth opportunities for the sport.
Despite these expansion plans, Valensi confirmed there are no immediate strategies to bring major volleyball events to London, citing the sport's stronger popularity in other international markets.
Reflecting on the Global Sport Group's potential, Valensi concluded: "I see that there's clearly bridges between the different organisations, but probably more on the marketing side and support functions, and probably a bit less on the revenue generation side." He emphasised the mutual learning opportunities, noting that while Volleyball World can assist other GSG members with social media and digital strategies, there's "plenty that the other sports organisations are probably doing in a different way than we are doing."
