David Berson is reportedly the leading candidate to run a combined CBS/TNT Sports division if Paramount Global completes its proposed merger with Warner Bros. Discovery.
According to John Ourand of Puck, Berson—currently President and CEO of CBS Sports—is viewed as the “strongest candidate†to lead the unified sports operation. He joined CBS in 2011 after leaving ESPN and succeeded Sean McManus in 2024.
Silberwasser’s Future Role Uncertain
Luis Silberwasser, President and CEO of TNT Sports, currently leads an independent operation that has been actively renewing rights deals with major leagues such as the NHL and MLB, while also securing new agreements like its recent partnership with FIBA.
Silberwasser told Ourand that he and Berson share a “very good professional and personal relationship,†though his position within a merged entity remains unclear.
Shareholder Vote and Deal Structure
Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders are scheduled to vote on the Paramount deal during a special meeting on April 23. Pending shareholder approval and regulatory clearance, the transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026.
If the merger is not finalized by the end of September, Paramount Global has agreed to pay WBD shareholders a quarterly “ticking fee†of $0.25 per share until closing.
Should the deal fail to receive regulatory approval, Paramount would be required to pay a $7 billion termination fee to WBD. In that scenario, WBD may also be unable to return to its previously proposed plan of splitting its studios/streaming and linear networks into two separate publicly traded companies—an option the company has described as a “lost strategic opportunity†for shareholders.
Wider Shifts Across the Sports Media Landscape
The potential merger comes amid broader changes across the U.S. sports media ecosystem. ESPN is expected to make adjustments to its secondary National Football League broadcast team, signaling further evolution in its flagship coverage.
Meanwhile, innovation continues around NCAA March Madness broadcasts. An alternate telecast is planned for the game between University of Michigan and University of Arizona, featuring members of Michigan’s iconic Fab Five lineup.
Additional developments involving The Washington Post, NBC Sports, and Bell Media further highlight the rapid transformation underway in sports broadcasting.