CBS Sports Chairman Sean McManus To Retire in April; David Berson To Succeed as President and CEO

McManus joined CBS Sports as president in 1996

CBS Sports Chairman Sean McManus will retire in April 2024 after a legendary 27-year run leading the division. David Berson, who has been president of CBS Sports for more than 10 years, will succeed him as president and chief executive officer. The announcement of the leadership transition was made today by George Cheeks, president/CEO, CBS, and chief content officer, news and sports, Paramount+.

CBS Sports Chairman Sean McManus (left) will retire next April and be succeeded by David Berson, who will become president and CEO.

McManus joined CBS Sports as president in 1996 and was instrumental in restoring the division’s prominence with the re-acquisition of the National Football League rights in 1998. He has maintained the broadcaster’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 CBS 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. He was named to the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2016.

“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. 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,” said Cheeks. “He is highly respected across the industry by his peers and our partners and within CBS Sports and Paramount Global. 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.”

Said McManus, “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. 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.”

Said Berson, “It has been the privilege of my career to have a front-row seat and work alongside Sean for the past 13 years. 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.”