Columbus Fury's Bold Trade Leaves Draft Drama

The Columbus Fury have stirred the pot. No first-round pick in the 2025 Major League Volleyball draft. That's a bold move. But why?

The Trade That Echoed

Let's rewind. The Fury, with a 9-19 record hanging over them, made waves last season. They traded away their 2025 and 2026 first-round picks for Tori Stringer. Yup, you read that right. No. 2 overall pick? Gone. But they snagged the two-time ACC Setter of the Year from the Atlanta Vibe. First in-season trade in PVF/MLV history. That's gutsy.

Stringer, who led Louisville to their first NCAA semifinal in 2021, was the prize. But was it worth the cost? Columbus fans sure hope so. She brings pedigree, having also played for TCU.

The Draft Situation

So where does that leave the Fury? They're jumping into the MLV draft with the No. 9 pick. First pick of the second round. Not exactly prime real estate. But they've got three picks total in a draft with four rounds. It's not over until it's over.

Meanwhile, the expansion Dallas Pulse nabbed the No. 1 pick. The Fury would have been right behind them if not for the Stringer trade. Ouch. But hey, sometimes you gotta roll the dice.

The Financial Play

Columbus isn't just gambling on players. They're betting on the city. Franklin County approved $500,000 to keep the team afloat. And Mayor Andrew Ginther is pushing for another $500,000 from the city council. With an average of 4,000 fans packing Nationwide Arena, the potential is there.

Looking Ahead

The 2025 MLV draft goes down on November 24. Will the Fury's gamble pay off? They need firepower, and they need it fast. Stringer better be the game-changer they hope for. Otherwise, this could get messy.