The Huntsville Sports Commission announced in August 2025 the hiring of Cline Thompson as the organization’s new General Manager, bringing with him a dynamic blend of sports industry leadership with a legal and military background.
Most recently serving as Vice President of Sales for the Rocket City Trash Pandas, Thompson was instrumental in leading sales strategy, team development, and cross-functional collaboration.
Prior to that, he served as Vice President of Business Development at the Knight Eady Sports Group, where he oversaw Huntsville operations and played a pivotal role in executing high-profile sporting events including the 2024 Conference USA Basketball Championships.
His professional background also includes leadership roles with the NBA G League’s Birmingham Squadron, where he was the Assistant GM, overseeing legal and business operations, and BBVA USA, where he was Vice President within the Compliance Division, managing regulatory and governance matters.
In addition to his civilian career, Thompson serves as a Captain and Judge Advocate in the U.S. Army Reserves, where he provides legal counsel on administrative and operational matters. He holds a Juris Doctor from Cumberland School of Law at Samford University and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Alabama.
Please join us in welcoming Cline Thompson to the Huntsville Sports Commission. We are excited for the expertise and vision he brings to our team.
