Starting with the 2026 draft, each of the league’s 12 teams may designate one seasoned professional and one incoming rookie as marquee players. While these contracts remain subject to a luxury tax, the move provides a pathway for franchises to secure high-profile collegiate stars and established international talent. Commissioner Jaime Weston stated that the initiative aims to build the premier professional volleyball environment globally without dismantling the league's foundational financial structure.

Cole DeVos, co-chair of the competition committee and representative for the Grand Rapids Rise, noted that the flexibility protects the integrity of the roster system while addressing the need to attract top-tier athletes. The league plans to phase in the rule, applying it to NCAA players entering the 2027 season and extending it to free agency for seasoned players in 2028. This adjustment arrives as MLV prepares for its fourth season, with the 2026 draft scheduled for November 23.