David Berson Named President of CBS Sports

David Berson has been named president of CBS Sports

CBS Sports has appointed David Berson as president. Berson joined CBS Sports in 2011 as executive vice president, CBS Sports and president, CBS Sports Network. In his new role, Berson will continue to report to Chairman Sean McManus and will be involved in all aspects of CBS Sports’ day-to-day management. He will also continue to lead CBS Sports Network, the company’s cable sports channel. 

“David’s contributions and expertise in all areas of our business, including programming, production and business affairs, have managed to exceed our high expectations since he joined CBS Sports,” says McManus. “This is a natural evolution for David to assume additional responsibilities at CBS Sports, working alongside me on the day-to-day management of both CBS Sports and CBS Sports Network.”

Since joining CBS Sports, Berson has led CBS Sports Network, while also working closely with McManus on CBS Sports strategy, including a variety of programming and talent deals. He spearheaded CBS Sports Network’s rebrand (previously CBS College Sports Network), more closely aligning the cable network with CBS Sports and its assets. In addition, Berson significantly bolstered the Network’s programming, more than doubling the number of live hours, while launching numerous shows such as “NFL MONDAY QB,” the first NFL programming to be featured on the Network, “ROME” and “LEAD-OFF.” Berson also added new programming for CBS Sports Network around CBS Sports’ major events including Super Bowl XLVII, The NCAA Final Four, The Masters, PGA Championship and US Open Tennis Championship. Berson also was instrumental in bringing popular sports personalities Jim Rome and Doug Gottlieb to the CBS Sports family. Under Berson’s leadership, CBS Sports Network’s distribution has increased more than 25% and the Network earned its first-ever Emmy Award.

Berson joined CBS Sports after 16 years at ESPN, where he began his career as an intern during college and later worked in various capacities in programming, affiliate sales and marketing, and business development. When he left ESPN, he was Executive Vice President, Program Planning and Strategy, co-running ESPN’s programming department and was responsible for programming strategy, scheduling, development and driving audience consumption for all of ESPN’s domestic television networks.

In January 2006, The Sporting News listed Berson, then 33, on its annual list of “Young & Powerful.” In 2007, 2008 and 2009, he was selected as a SportsBusiness Journal “Forty Under 40” recipient and named as a “Forty Under 40 Hall of Famer.” In 2007 and 2008, he was listed on BusinessWeek’s “The Power 100” ranking of the 100 most powerful people in sports.

He is a graduate of the University of Michigan.