The Professional Fighters League (PFL), the international mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion, has appointed experienced media executive John Martin as its new chief executive (CEO).
In the leadership role, he will oversee all aspects of the company’s strategy, management, operations, finances, and personnel.
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Peter Murray, the current CEO, will transition to the role of CEO of PFL International, where he will lead the launch and growth of the promotion’s international leagues. Murray will report directly to Martin in this expanded global structure.
Murray has been PFL CEO since January 2018.
In May, the PFL continued its global expansion with the launch of its fourth regional league, PFL Pacific, covering Australia and New Zealand. The series has already created leagues in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, and sub-Saharan Africa.
Martin is a veteran media, entertainment, and sports executive with decades of leadership experience at major media companies.
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By GlobalDataHe served as chairman and CEO of US media giant Turner from 2014 to 2018, where he managed a portfolio of cable networks, digital platforms, content properties, and sports assets, including TNT, TBS, CNN, and Turner Sports.
Prior to that, Martin was chief financial officer (CFO) at Time Warner, the heavyweight media, entertainment, and sports company comprising Warner Bros., HBO, Turner, Time Inc., and Time Warner Cable.
Earlier in his career, Martin served as CFO of Time Warner Cable and is credited with being an early advocate of expanding the cable distribution of the UFC MMA promotion.
Donn Davis, PFL founder and chairman, has now said: “John Martin is the ideal CEO to lead the next chapter of growth at PFL – he is a proven media, content, and sports executive who is a respected global leader and business operator at scale.
“I am thrilled to work closely with John to deliver on the vision to make PFL everything the fans, fighters, and sport of MMA deserves.”
Martin added: “MMA represents the biggest opportunity in sports, and the PFL has secured a unique position that will never be replicated. I’m incredibly excited about the future of the PFL and confident that we’re only at the beginning of what this organization will achieve.
“My two greatest passions are leading media companies and MMA, so stepping into the position of PFL CEO is truly a dream role for me.”
Earlier this year, PFL appointed Scott Aronsky as CFO to bolster its senior leadership team. His hiring came quickly after Darren Russell was announced as PFL’s new international director of marketing digital and content.
Other appointments made over the past year include Chris Kaiser as head of global productions and content operations, Mark Loewinger as vice president of event marketing, ticket sales, and touring in North America, and Damian Willoughby as head of global partnerships.
