PFL hires ex-Turner executive John Martin as new CEO

The Professional Fighters League (PFL) hired former Turner and Time Warner executive John Martin as its new CEO, the promotion announced Thursday.

Former CEO Peter Murray will transition to the role of PFL International CEO, where he will oversee the organization's international leagues such as PFL Europe and PFL Africa. Murray will report to Martin in his new role.

"John Martin is the ideal CEO to lead the next chapter of growth at PFL," chairman and founder Donn Davis said in a statement. "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 served as chairman and CEO of Turner from 2014-18, managing several cable and digital networks including TNT, TBS, CNN, and Turner Sports. Before that, Martin was CFO at Time Warner Inc., a top entertainment conglomerate at the time.

As PFL CEO, Martin will oversee "all aspects of the company's strategy, management, operations, finances, and personnel," according to a press release.

Martin has been "a dedicated follower of MMA from its earliest days," per the release, and has a black belt in karate and a blue belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

"MMA represents the biggest opportunity in sports, and the PFL has secured a unique position that will never be replicated," Martin said in a statement. "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."