Disrupt the Game Signed Volleyball Star Amber Igiede

The Los Angeles-based agency has added the award-winning middle blocker to its growing roster of professional athletes.

Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Volleyball

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Sports agency Disrupt the Game has signed LOVB Houston standout Amber Igiede to manage her off-court business interests. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The sports agency Disrupt the Game has signed Amber Igiede, the 2026 LOVB Middle Blocker of the Year, to represent her off-court business interests. Igiede, a standout player for LOVB Houston, will continue to work with Stefano Bartocci for her on-court contract negotiations.

Why it matters

This move signals a strategic expansion by Disrupt the Game into the professional volleyball market, reflecting the agency's bet on the growing commercial potential of the sport for female athletes.

Disrupt the Game currently represents a total of 18 athletes and broadcasters. The agency was founded in 2012 and manages clients across multiple professional sports categories.

The players

Amber Igiede

She is a professional volleyball middle blocker currently playing for LOVB Houston who was named the 2026 LOVB Middle Blocker of the Year.

Disrupt the Game

This Los Angeles-based agency manages the business interests of professional athletes and broadcasters across various sports.

Allison Galer

She founded Disrupt the Game in 2012 and serves as a primary executive managing the agency's client roster.

Jacki Gemelos

She joined the agency in 2022 and works alongside the founders to secure and manage high-profile athlete partnerships.

Stefano Bartocci

He serves as the dedicated agent responsible for managing on-court contract negotiations for Amber Igiede.

The details

While Disrupt the Game takes over Igiede's off-court business management, the athlete maintains her existing representation for on-court contract matters. Founders Allison Galer and Jacki Gemelos will personally oversee the account as the agency prepares for further expansion into volleyball.

Timeline

  1. 2012: Allison Galer founded the Disrupt the Game agency.

  2. 2022: Jacki Gemelos joined the agency team.

  3. 2026: Amber Igiede received the LOVB Middle Blocker of the Year award.

Season Trajectory

This signing highlights a broader trend toward dedicated off-court management for volleyball stars as the sport gains professional footing in the U.S. It positions Disrupt the Game to capture market share ahead of upcoming international volleyball events held in North America.

This move guarantees that Igiede will have a specialized team dedicated to maximizing her commercial brand outside of match-day performance. Fans should look for increased media and endorsement visibility for the middle blocker as she begins the 2027 season cycle.

The takeaway

The entry of specialized agencies into volleyball signifies a transition toward more professionalized business support for top-tier players. Athletes seeking to build sustainable careers must now balance on-court production with a robust off-court brand management strategy.

What happens next

The professional volleyball landscape is expected to see increased visibility as the FIVB Women's Volleyball World Cup is scheduled to come to the United States and Canada in 2027.

Further reading

Learn more about the evolving landscape of the sport on the Volleyball section page.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Sportsbusinessjournal.

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