David Berson is set to take on a significantly broader sports portfolio once the $111 billion merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery closes.
Berson, president of CBS Sports since 2024, will become responsible for sports across Skydance, which is poised to serve as the umbrella over CBS, TNT Sports and their respective parent companies, Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery. The merger is due to close Tuesday.
The planned consolidation will also bring a leadership change at TNT Sports. Luis Silberwasser, who has overseen the division since Warner Bros. Discovery was formed through the WarnerMedia-Discovery merger in 2022, is set to leave the company.
A Combined Sports Portfolio
Berson’s expanded remit will bring together two sports operations with substantial rights portfolios. CBS Sports holds rights involving the NFL, top-tier college football and the PGA Tour, along with golf major The Masters.
TNT Sports, meanwhile, added properties including Big 12 college football and French Open tennis during Silberwasser’s tenure. It also secured significant NHL and Major League Baseball rights, which will now fall under Berson’s oversight.
The division’s lineup underwent a major shift when the NBA left after nearly four decades. The league moved rights to NBC and Amazon while renewing its relationship with Disney-ESPN.
CBS Sports and TNT Sports already have a longstanding working relationship through the NCAA’s March Madness college basketball tournament. The two operations have shared tournament rights since 2010. That co-venture was initially designed as a cost-saving arrangement to help CBS manage the expense of the rights.
Silberwasser Addresses His Departure
Silberwasser informed employees about his impending exit in a memo, expressing support for the leadership decision and offering to help with the handover.
“I have tremendous respect for our leadership and for the leaders of CBS Sports, who are great colleagues and friends,” he wrote. “I fully support the decision and will do everything I can to be of assistance during the transition. I believe in the strategy ahead and, above all, in the people who will carry this work forward.”
A CBS Sports representative declined to comment on the executive changes.
Berson joined CBS in 2010 following a lengthy stint at ESPN. He succeeded Sean McManus as CBS Sports president in 2024, taking charge of the company’s established collection of sports rights.
What Happens Next?
Skydance announced its executive leadership team Monday and indicated that a more extensive group of executives would be unveiled after the transaction closes Tuesday.
Berson’s wider responsibilities are expected to take effect following the merger’s completion, while Silberwasser has said he will assist during the transition.