Sean McManus will retire in April after 27 years leading CBS Sports; David Berson named successor

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CBS Sports Chairman Sean McManus has known for over a year when he planned to retire and who would be his successor

CBS Sports Chairman Sean McManus has known for over a year when he planned to retire and who would be his successor.

On Tuesday, it was made official.

McManus will retire in April after 27 years in charge. His successor will be David Berson, who has been president of CBS Sports for over 10 years.

“The reaction has been very positive, so I feel good about everything,” McManus said. “We really don’t have any major rights negotiations coming up in in the next number of years. So, I think the timing is really good. And to be able to go out with a Super Bowl, March Madness, and The Masters is good timing for me and the division.”

McManus, who will turn 69 in February, said he discussed his future plans with his bosses at Paramount Global, which owns CBS, last year and that the transition timeline has been in place for over a year.

McManus, who joined CBS Sports as president in 1996, has had many achievements during his tenure, but the most significant remains reacquiring the NFL rights in 1998. CBS did not have games from 1994 through 1997, which led to a mass exodus of talent. Many went to Fox, which outbid CBS for the NFC package in 1993.

CBS will carry its 22nd Super Bowl on Feb. 11 from Las Vegas.

“I’ve been very proud of a lot of the negotiations we’ve done along with the partnerships and friendships that I’ve made, but I have to say when the team was able to bring the NFL back to CBS, that was a moment that is difficult to top. It is kind of a first among equals,” he said.

McManus has also kept the network's longstanding relationship with The Masters in tact. When CBS does next year's tournament, it will