Matt Hannaford is one of baseball’s most trusted and accomplished agents — and the President & CEO of ALIGND Sports Agency, a boutique, baseball-only firm built to represent not just the game’s best players, but those driven to lead, give back, and leave baseball better than they found it.

Over two decades in professional baseball, Hannaford has negotiated more than $2 billion in player contracts, including three of the ten largest deals in MLB history. His portfolio features some of the sport’s most celebrated names — Manny Machado, Albert Pujols, Joey Votto, Austin Riley, and Liam Hendriks — and a legacy of record-setting negotiations such as the 10-year, $300 million contract for Machado, the 10-year, $212 million extension for Austin Riley (the largest in Atlanta Braves history), and the $54 million contract for All-Star closer Liam Hendriks (the highest annual average value ever for a reliever at the time).

Before founding ALIGND in 2020, Hannaford co-founded MVP Sports Group, where he helped build an agency that was at one point one of the premier firms in professional baseball. There, he guided MVPs, All-Stars, and future Hall of Famers across every stage of their careers. His earlier years at Beverly Hills Sports Council exposed him to the agent business at its highest level, working with legends such as Barry Bonds, Mike Piazza, and Trevor Hoffman.

A former collegiate player himself, Hannaford understands the player’s journey from both sides of the game. That perspective continues to define his approach today — hands-on, educational, and deeply personal.

Hannaford is also the creator and host of The Most Valuable Agent Podcast, the industry’s leading show for parents and players navigating the modern baseball landscape. Airing every Monday and Wednesday on YouTube and Perfect Game TV, the podcast blends insider insight, expert interviews, and mentorship designed to prepare the next generation for what’s ahead.

Through ALIGND, Hannaford continues to champion athletes with a whole-person approach to representation — combining elite negotiation, education, and advocacy with a belief that the game’s truest legacy is measured not in contracts, but in the lives impacted beyond the field.

With more than twelve years of experience in athlete representation, Brian Hannaford brings a unique blend of strategic insight, marketing expertise, and hands-on client care to every relationship he manages. As Executive Vice President of Player Representation at ALIGND Sports Agency, Brian oversees all facets of player support — from draft preparation and arbitration strategy to endorsement negotiations and digital brand development — ensuring that every athlete’s career and opportunities are fully aligned.

Before launching ALIGND alongside his brother Matt, Brian spent nearly a decade at MVP Sports Group, where he advanced through roles in equipment, marketing, and digital strategy before becoming an agent. There, he directed marketing and branding initiatives for more than one hundred Major and Minor League players, including Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, Josh Donaldson, Joey Votto, and Albert Pujols.

A Northern California native, Brian earned his B.A. in Business Law from Arizona State University, where he also worked with the Sun Devils baseball program, supporting future Major Leaguers such as Trevor Williams, Merrill Kelly, and Kole Calhoun.

Guided by a belief that representation extends far beyond negotiation, Brian remains deeply committed to helping players and families navigate the business of baseball with clarity, loyalty, and care — ensuring that every decision reflects the long-term vision of the athlete he serves.