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Sean McManus, chairman of CBS Sports, will retire in April 2024 after a legendary 27-year run leading the division. David Berson, who has been president of CBS Sports for over 10 years, will succeed McManus as president and chief executive officer. The announcement of the leadership transition was made today by George Cheeks, president and chief executive officer of CBS, and chief content officer of news and sports at Paramount+.
McManus joined CBS Sports as president in 1996 and was instrumental in restoring the division’s prominence with the reacquisition of the National Football League rights in 1998. He has maintained the Network’s industry-leading status by spearheading subsequent landmark deals with the NFL as well as groundbreaking agreements with the NCAA, Big Ten, PGA TOUR, UEFA, PGA of America and SEC, along with the Masters. McManus served concurrently as president of CBS News and Sports for more than five years prior to being named chairman in 2011 and is only the second person to hold both division titles simultaneously at a network.
“Sean is a first-ballot, hall of fame executive who has masterfully managed all aspects of CBS Sports for 27 years and helped guide us through a transformative era in sports television,” said Cheeks. “His achievements here and the culture of excellence he established for CBS Sports – on screen and off – will benefit CBS and Paramount Global long into the future.”
Berson joined CBS Sports in 2011 and was named president in June 2013. While overseeing CBS Sports’ broadcast, cable, digital and streaming assets, he has been integral in establishing the strategic direction of the division and managing its daily operations, along with spearheading numerous marquee rights and talent acquisitions, managing relationships with partners and developing and leading a best-in-class team.
“David is a brilliant, innovative and passionate leader with deep knowledge and relationships in all areas of our business. He is highly respected across the industry by his peers, our partners and within CBS Sports and Paramount Global,” said Cheeks. “Sean and David’s excellent partnership the past decade has positioned CBS Sports for this smooth transition. David is the ideal executive to lead the next chapter of this proud and storied division.”
“Leading CBS Sports has been an honor and I have been so fortunate to work with the most talented team in sports media, along with our incredible partners, for nearly three decades. It has been a fantastic run and the thrill of a lifetime,” said McManus. “I am pleased to leave CBS Sports in an even stronger place than when I arrived, knowing that all of our marquee properties are locked up through this decade and beyond. The future at CBS Sports is in the extremely capable hands of David Berson, who will seamlessly succeed me, as we planned. He is an outstanding leader and strategist, with knowledge and experience across all facets of the business, and has established excellent relationships with our partners and across our team.”
“It has been the privilege of my career to have a front-row seat and work alongside Sean for the past 13 years,” said Berson. “He is the ultimate leader, mentor and friend. I look forward to carrying on the high standards he established, which help define CBS Sports. It is a genuine honor to lead our incomparable CBS Sports team and continue working closely with our world-class partners.”
