Brera Holdings Celebrates Inaugural LOVB Pro Volleyball Championship as Former UYBA Stars Lead Austin to Historic Victory Over Omaha

LOVB Austin became the first League One Volleyball champion, with former UYBA (Brera Holdings subsidiary) players Carli Lloyd, Julianne Faucette, and Alessia Gennari

/EIN News/ -- Dublin, Ireland and Milan, Italy, April 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Brera Holdings PLC (“Brera Holdings” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: BREA), an Ireland-based international holding company focused on expanding its global portfolio of men’s and women’s sports teams through a multi-club ownership (“MCO”) strategy, proudly celebrates a historic moment as Austin claims the championship title 3-0 in straight sets against Omaha in the inaugural season of League One Volleyball (LOVB), the first professional women’s volleyball league in the United States. The win carries special significance for Brera Holdings, the majority owner of Italy’s UYBA Volley Busto Arsizio (“UYBA”)—one of the most storied women’s volleyball clubs in Europe based north of Milan, and a key development ground for three of Austin’s star players: Carli Lloyd, Julianne Faucette, and Alessia Gennari.

A new chapter in women’s volleyball history was written this season—filled with emotion, talent, and remarkable comeback stories. At the heart of Austin’s triumph lies a powerful legacy from UYBA, where these three athletes built their international reputations.

Veteran setter and Olympic medalist Carli Lloyd, who once captained the UYBA squad, brought her trademark leadership and precision to the court, orchestrating the offense with calm authority. Alongside her, Julianne Faucette, a powerful outside hitter and another UYBA alumna, delivered critical points during decisive moments of the tournament.

But it was Alessia Gennari who captured the hearts of fans on both sides of the Atlantic. The talented Italian spiker delivered a standout season in Austin, showcasing her class and experience on the global stage. Now, in a full-circle moment that has thrilled supporters, Gennari will return to UYBA for the 2025/26 season—marking a highly anticipated homecoming for one of the club’s most beloved stars.

“This victory is more than a proud moment for UYBA—it’s a testament to the global caliber of talent our club continues to develop,” said Pierre Galoppi, CEO of Brera Holdings. “We are incredibly proud to see Carli, Julianne, and Alessia shine on the U.S. stage and thrilled to welcome Alessia back toUYBA.”

The Global Momentum of Women’s Volleyball

Austin’s triumph is emblematic of the rapid growth and rising ambition in women’s volleyball. The launch of LOVB has ushered in a new era for the sport in the United States—bringing elite international talent to American audiences, attracting new sponsors and media interest, and expanding career pathways for women athletes.

Across Europe, clubs like UYBA remain central to the sport’s ecosystem—serving as elite training grounds and cultural institutions that nurture top-tier players. As the women’s game grows in scale and reach, Brera Holdings is uniquely positioned to serve as a bridge between these worlds, leveraging its multi-club model to create international talent pipelines and long-term value in women's sports.

Austin’s championship win is more than just a sporting milestone—it represents the future of women’s volleyball: fast-paced, global, and commercially ascendant. And for the fans in Busto Arsizio, it is a moment of pride that blends cherished memories with fresh hopes for the seasons ahead.

ABOUT BRERA HOLDINGS PLC

Brera Holdings PLC (Nasdaq: BREA) is dedicated to expanding its social impact football business by developing a global portfolio of emerging football and sports clubs. Building on the legacy of Brera FC, which it acquired in 2022, the Company aims to create opportunities for tournament prizes, sponsorships, and professional consulting services. Brera FC, recognized as "The Third Team of Milan," has been crafting an alternative football legacy since its founding in 2000. The club also organizes the FENIX Trophy, a nonprofessional pan-European tournament acknowledged by UEFA. This tournament, which has been referred to as "the Champions League for Amateurs" by BBC Sport, has garnered significant media coverage, including from ESPN.

In its efforts to broaden its reach, Brera expanded into Africa in March 2023 by establishing Brera Tchumene FC in Mozambique, which quickly rose to the First Division after winning its post-season tournament. In April 2023, the Company acquired a 90% stake in the North Macedonian first-division team Fudbalski Klub Akademija Pandev, now known as Brera Strumica FC. Additionally, in June 2023, Brera made a strategic investment in Manchester United PLC, realizing a 74% gain. The Company has further diversified its portfolio by acquiring a majority stake in UYBA Volley, an Italian women's professional volleyball team, in July 2023, assuming control of Bayanzurkh Sporting Ilch FC, a Mongolian National Premier League team, which became Brera Ilch FC, in September 2023, and establishing a joint stock company for the North Macedonian women's football club Tiverija Strumica, now known as Brera Tiverija FC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Brera Strumica FC, in June 2024.

On December 31, 2024, Brera signed of an agreement to acquire majority ownership of SS Juve Stabia srl, an Italian Serie B football club known as “The Second Team of Naples,” which will be conducted in a multi-step process, and marks a significant expansion of the Company’s MCO model. As of February 12, 2025, Brera holds a 38.46% equity ownership interest in Juve Stabia. With a strategic emphasis on bottom-up value creation, innovation-driven growth, and socially impactful outcomes, Brera Holdings has established itself as a forward-thinking leader in the global sports industry. For more information, visit www.breraholdings.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Such statements include statements regarding the Company's ability to grow its business and other statements that are not historical facts, including statements which may be accompanied by the words "intends," "may," "will," "plans," "expects," "anticipates," "projects," "predicts," "estimates," "aims," "believes," "hopes," "potential" or similar words. Actual results could differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including without limitation, the Company's ability to continue as a going concern, the popularity and/or competitive success of the Company's acquired football and other sports teams, the Company's ability to attract players and staff for acquired clubs, unsuccessful acquisitions or other strategic transactions, the possibility of a decline in the popularity of football or other sports, the Company's ability to expand its fanbase, sponsors and commercial partners, general economic conditions, and other risk factors detailed in the Company's filings with the SEC. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake any responsibility to update such forward-looking statements except in accordance with applicable law.

Company Contact Information:
Dan McClory, Executive Chairman, Brera Holdings PLC
Email: dan@breraholdings.com

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• LOVB Austin became the first League One Volleyball champion, with former UYBA (Brera Holdings subsidiary) players Carli Lloyd, Julianne Faucette, and Alessia Gennari