Volleyball World has appointed global sports marketing veteran Michael Payne as its new independent Chair, signaling a new phase of growth and global ambition for the sport.
Payne brings more than 40 years of experience in the international sports industry. He was the first Marketing and Global Broadcast Rights Director at the International Olympic Committee (IOC), where he created the groundbreaking Olympic Partner (TOP) global sponsorship program and helped transform the Olympic Games into a commercial powerhouse.
After leaving the IOC, Payne launched Payne Sports Media Strategies, advising top sports organizations including Formula 1, the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB), and CVC Capital Partners. He also played a key advisory role during CVC’s strategic investment in Volleyball World.
Fernando Lima, who has served as the founding Chair of Volleyball World since its launch in 2021, will stay on the Board and take on new leadership responsibilities within FIVB. He will support the transition and continue to help shape the sport’s future in a new role to be announced soon.
Under Lima’s leadership, Volleyball World embraced a fan-first strategy that led to major growth in live events, digital platforms, and commercial partnerships. He was also pivotal in modernizing the sport’s presentation, blending elite competition with interactive fan experiences to attract global audiences.
“This is an exciting and promising moment for volleyball,” said Lima. “I’m proud of what we’ve achieved and confident that Michael will help us grow even faster. I look forward to continuing to support the sport through new innovations that connect fans, data, and technology.”
Michael Payne expressed his enthusiasm for the new role, saying: “The progress Volleyball World has made over the past four years has been impressive. I’m excited to join the team as we enter a major summer of volleyball, with the Volleyball Nations League and World Championships set to showcase the sport at its best.”
Payne’s appointment comes at a time of momentum for volleyball, with strong commercial interest and increasing global fan engagement. Volleyball World expects his expertise to help elevate the sport’s profile and grow its global footprint.
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