The Players League Names David Martin Director of Team Operations

Veteran franchise builder who helped launch the Palmetto State League steps into full-time role overseeing operations across the league's six collegiate summer circuits

Siler City, NC — September 9, 2026 — The Players League today announced the hiring of David Martin as Director of Team Operations. Martin will oversee franchise operations across the league's six collegiate summer wood-bat leagues and teams: the Old North State League, the Palmetto State League, the Volunteer State League, the Orange State League, the Cowboy Collegiate League, and the Greater Northeast Collegiate Baseball League.

Martin is a familiar presence in the organization. He served as a consultant to The Players League ownership and executive leadership from March through August 2026, during the launch of the Palmetto State League, where he built league-wide ticket sales and sponsorship strategies, ran weekly sales meetings with team general managers, and introduced game-day revenue and fan experience initiatives across multiple markets.

"We are excited to bring David on board full time," said Alec Allred, CEO and owner of The Players League. "He was a great asset last season, and we are looking forward to the growth we will see with him on our team. His experience and knowledge will allow us to maximize the efforts of The Players League."

Martin brings more than 25 years of professional sports experience, including the launch of five start-up franchises and leagues. As Chief Operating Officer and General Manager of the Gastonia Honey Hunters of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, he led the construction and opening of CaroMont Health Ballpark and the club's inaugural season during the COVID-19 pandemic. In that role he directed both sides of the operation: player personnel, team travel, facility maintenance, event scheduling, game-day staffing, and safety protocols, alongside sponsorship, premium seating, and ticket sales. During construction he identified approximately $3 million in stadium change orders and negotiated a lease that secured staging, flooring, lighting, and sound assets for franchise use. The club executed a 60-game home schedule while hosting more than 100 additional events.

Martin also served as Vice President of Business Operations for the UFL's Birmingham Stallions and Director of Marketing for the USFL's Canton franchise. He led corporate sponsorship, marketing, and ticket sales for the launch of the High Point Rockers and BB&T Point, generating $375,000 in sponsorship revenue in the club's first season, and earlier spearheaded sales and marketing for the launch of the Triple-A Fresno Grizzlies' downtown ballpark as the club's Vice President of Marketing & Sales. He began his career in baseball operations as Assistant General Manager and Director of Operations of the Winston-Salem Warthogs. Most recently, he served as a FIFA team base camp liaison during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, managing operations for Scotland's national team at Charlotte FC's training facility.

In his new role, Martin will focus on stabilizing business operations across all Players League franchises and on hiring and developing leadership in each market.

"What drew me here was the chance to build something with Alec, who pitched for us in Gastonia, and to help each of these markets run like a professional operation," Martin said. "The teams that succeed are the ones with strong people on the ground, and my job is to find them, support them, and give them what they need. I'm also a fanatic about this game, so getting back into baseball made all the sense in the world."

Martin holds a Master of Arts in Sports Administration from Kent State University and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Tampa. He has served on the steering committee of the National Sports Forum for more than 15 years. He resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his wife, Corinne.