Lenny Daniels Joins Professional Fighters League as Chief Operating Officer
Lenny Daniels, the former head of Warner Bros. Discovery‘s sports operations, has recently been appointed as the Chief Operating Officer of the Professional Fighters League (PFL). This move comes as the mixed-martial-arts league aims to position itself as a strong competitor against the UFC.
In his new role, Daniels will be responsible for overseeing all day-to-day operations of the league, including global business operations, brand and content strategy, and commercial expansion. He will also play a key leadership role in the upcoming U.S. media rights negotiations for the PFL.
Reporting directly to John Martin, CEO of PFL and former head of Warner’s cable-networks division, Daniels brings a wealth of experience in sports media and elite sports organizations. Martin praised Daniels, stating that he is one of the most accomplished executives in the industry and will be a game-changing leader for the PFL as it enters its next stage of growth.
With the growing demand for mixed martial arts content from fans, advertisers, and distributors, PFL is positioning itself as a cost-effective option compared to the UFC. The recent multi-billion-dollar deal signed by UFC with Paramount Skydance has put pressure on other leagues to secure premium sponsorship deals to support their operations.
Expressing his excitement about joining PFL, Daniels stated, “The opportunity to help build the next great global combat sports brand, powered by storytelling, technology, and athlete-first innovation, is rare. I am committed to delivering operational excellence across every level of the League. We’re just getting started.”
Prior to joining PFL, Daniels spent nearly three decades at Turner Sports, where he played a significant role in developing popular programs like “Inside the NBA” and “NBA on TNT.” He also led partnerships with major leagues such as MLB, NCAA, and NBA, and was instrumental in the development of digital-sports platform Bleacher Report. Daniels and his family are based in Atlanta.
With Lenny Daniels on board, PFL is poised for growth and success as it continues to carve out its place in the world of mixed martial arts. Stay tuned for more updates on the league’s development and future plans.
