I agree, they need some big name players if they want to expand the league. I find it funny that some Americans only watch NCAA and are not interested international volleyball. Do they not realize how much more entertaining and higher level it is? But if they just want to keep it in the US and only focus on local players then I won't be heavily interested. The route they're going isn't going to make the league last long.
It's different here... The US has never had a sustainable pro league... so the highest level is the NCAA (and the Olympics)
Like they'd feel the same way for you not knowing the best of the NCAA (granted you probably do because they all went pro) but thats besides that point
I am going to be the get of my lawn guy.
As we have seen in under the last president, Americans have no understanding of global issues. Many American sports like baseball, basketball and hockey are considered to be the highest level in the sport. Trying to bring international stars to a brand new league is not a good idea. They are going to make more money playing overseas in Italy, Turkey, China, Japan, etc.
Volleyball in this country is a popular playing sport, but many parents only go, "Olympics are on is the USA playing?" Then we'll watch. So every four years, volleyball does well. However, in high schools and younger club volleyball is very big. However, matches from Europe's league are also on weekends, so kids playing club have no understanding of any level of professional volleyball anywhere in the world. Also the national team plays few matches domestically in non-Olympic years, and hence why I yell at people to say the VNL/World League/World Grand Prix is important! If volleyball is relevant every two or four years, then the sport needs an annual event.
VNL for the USA should be in LA or Chicago area because fan base is already there and great crowd interaction. Let alone get entertainment stars in the front row. Japanese TV does in for the events in Japan with the music. Omaha/Lincoln are great volleyball venues, but getting there is a pain.
Getting back to the high school kids, many coaches have no understanding of the sport outside of their team and domestic realm. I was crazy in my coaching and showing them the Brazil's, Japan and USA teams from the 2010 World Championships. Showing them high level play to demonstrate what can be done.
NCAA for many women's sports in this country is considered to be for many as far as they can go. Even many college coaches do not have many international connections other than players under them or those who have graduated. Courtney Thompson was a good player at a good school and had no idea that she could play professionally. Kim Hill went to a USA team tryout on a whim and became a World Champion MVP.
We are oblivious over here sometimes to our own detriment.