TBL's Double Jab: Boxing League Taps ESPN and Regulatory Veterans for Major Expansion

NEW YORK, NY – January 14, 2026 – The TBL Team Boxing League, a burgeoning organization aiming to reshape professional boxing, has delivered a strategic one-two punch with the high-profile appointments of Vinny DiMarco as Chief Revenue Officer and Danny Vella as Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs. The hires signal a significant acceleration in the league's ambitious plans for national and international growth, adding seasoned leadership to drive commercial success and ensure regulatory integrity.

In a move that underscores its intent to become a major player in the sports media landscape, TBL has brought on DiMarco, a 23-year veteran of ESPN, to spearhead its revenue strategy. Vella, an award-winning former state commission director, will navigate the complex regulatory environment crucial for the league's expansion. The appointments fortify an executive team determined to scale TBL's innovative, team-based format.

"Vinny and Danny each bring exceptional expertise that aligns perfectly with where TBL is headed," said Kevin Cassidy, CEO of TBL Team Boxing League, in a statement. "Vinny's proven ability to drive sustainable revenue growth across complex media and partnership ecosystems will be critical as we scale, while Danny's regulatory leadership and commitment to safety and integrity will ensure our expansion is built on the highest professional standards."

Fueling the Commercial Engine

Vinny DiMarco's appointment as Chief Revenue Officer places a seasoned media and sponsorship strategist at the helm of TBL's commercial operations. With over two decades at ESPN, DiMarco was instrumental in building scalable sponsorship platforms and driving revenue for both emerging and established sports properties. His experience in aligning league assets with national marketing partners is seen as a critical asset for TBL as it seeks to capitalize on its growing audience.

The league has already demonstrated impressive viewership, reporting over 12 million unique viewers across its streaming and linear platforms in its previous season. This digital-first approach proved resilient when a former broadcast partner filed for bankruptcy, forcing TBL to pivot and strengthen its presence on platforms like DAZN, YouTube, and its own subscription service, teamcombatleague.tv. DiMarco is now tasked with converting this engagement into sustainable, long-term revenue streams through media rights, sponsorships, and innovative brand integrations.

Existing partnerships, such as a multi-year deal with HotelPlanner, provide a foundation, but DiMarco's mandate is to think bigger. His expertise will be vital as TBL, which currently features 12 teams in major U.S. markets, pursues plans to expand to 18 teams, including a potential four-team European division.

"TBL is redefining what's possible in professional boxing," DiMarco stated. "I'm excited to join the organization and help build innovative, scalable revenue opportunities that support the league's long-term vision."

Ensuring Integrity and Safe Expansion

While DiMarco builds the financial engine, Danny Vella is tasked with constructing the framework to ensure the league's expansion is both safe and legitimate. As the new Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, Vella brings a wealth of experience from his four-year tenure as the Executive Director of the Arizona State Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts Commission.

During his time in Arizona, Vella was widely recognized for modernizing the commission's operations. His efforts to enhance athlete safety, digitize licensing, and improve administrative efficiency earned the commission a "Commission of the Year" award and garnered him personal recognition as "Executive Officer of the Year" from the North American Boxing Federation (NABF). This background is indispensable for a combat sports league looking to operate across numerous state lines, each with its own distinct set of rules governing licensing, medical standards, and event oversight.

Navigating this patchwork of state athletic commissions is one of the greatest hurdles for any new combat sports promotion. Vella's role will involve proactive engagement with these bodies, ensuring TBL's unique format and operational procedures meet or exceed the stringent safety and compliance requirements in every jurisdiction it enters. This is particularly crucial as TBL’s fast-paced, multi-fight events present a different regulatory model than traditional boxing cards.

"TBL is an exciting organization bringing much-needed innovation and development to our industry," Vella commented. "I'm grateful for the opportunity to support its expansion and help ensure we operate with the highest standards of safety, integrity, and professionalism."

A Disruptive Format Built for a Modern Audience

The dual hires are a direct reflection of TBL's mission to disrupt a sport that co-founder Kevin Cassidy believed needed a shake-up for today's audience. The league has thrown out the traditional playbook in favor of a format more akin to major league sports. Weekly events feature 12 city-based teams, with rosters of both male and female fighters competing across various weight classes.

The action itself is relentless. Instead of long, multi-round bouts, TBL matches consist of 24 individual three-minute rounds, with each round being a separate matchup. An exclusive point-scoring system tallies the results, and the team with the highest total score at the end wins the contest, emphasizing collective performance over individual glory. This structure, culminating in high-stakes "Money Rounds," is designed to deliver non-stop action and maintain viewer engagement.

This innovative approach has proven attractive to established professional fighters, including Michael Hunter and Rashidi Ellis, who have embraced the opportunity to pioneer a new form of the sport and experience the camaraderie of a team environment. By creating a faster, more accessible product, TBL is carving out a distinct niche in the crowded combat sports market. The strategic addition of top-tier executive talent in revenue and regulation is a clear statement that the league is now ready to move from disruptive concept to a permanent and powerful fixture in the world of professional boxing.