The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has announced that former Turner executive John Martin will be taking over as the fight promotion`s new chief executive officer. He replaces Peter Murray, who previously held the role. The reasons for Murray`s departure were not immediately disclosed. Martin steps into the position bringing an extensive background from the broadcast television industry.
Martin has a distinguished career, having been recognized in 2017 on the Variety 500 list, which highlights the top 500 most influential business leaders in entertainment. Prior to that, in 2014, he moved from his post as chief financial and administrative officer at Time Warner to become the CEO of Turner Entertainment. In this role, he was responsible for overseeing major properties such as TBS, TNT, CNN, and Turner Sports. Martin departed the company in 2018 following the acquisition of Time Warner by communications giant AT&T and the subsequent rebranding as WarnerMedia.
Now, Martin assumes leadership at PFL during a crucial phase for the organization as it works to establish and expand its presence in the competitive combat sports landscape, which is largely dominated by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
Recent PFL Developments
His appointment follows PFL`s significant move to acquire Bellator from Paramount. The promotion implemented substantial changes for the 2025 season, transitioning from a traditional season-long points format to a regular tournament structure. The prize for the eventual winners was also adjusted, decreasing from $1 million to $500,000. Furthermore, the Bellator brand was entirely discontinued, and several prominent fighters have since exited the promotion.
The PFL is currently nearing the conclusion of its 2025 tournaments. The promotion also has upcoming events, including a special card scheduled for Cape Town, South Africa on July 19th. This event is set to feature former Bellator champions Johnny Eblen and Corey Anderson in key matchups, alongside PFL star Dakota Ditcheva making her first appearance of the year.
Neville Whittle 
Oliver Croft