The Varsity No NFL, No Glory
Dec 8, 2024
Sean McManus, the former CBS Sports chairman and president, shares his rich media career journey. He reveals how he fought to bring the NFL back to CBS, highlighting why networks without the NFL struggle. McManus also talks about the evolution of sports media, the rise of women's sports, and the economic pressures of broadcasting rights. His insights offer a fascinating look at both personal milestones and industry shifts, blending nostalgia with the excitement of modern sports entertainment.
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Career Path
- After college, McManus started at ABC Sports, then NBC, focusing on programming and rights acquisitions.
- He later joined IMG before becoming President of CBS Sports, fulfilling his ambition of running a sports network.
Sports as Valuable Content
- Sports remains the most valuable TV programming, attracting large live audiences.
- The NFL is exceptionally dominant, with 94 of the top 100 TV programs in 2023 being NFL-related.
Exorbitant Rights Fees
- Sports rights fees have skyrocketed; CBS's NFL deal went from $500 million to $2 billion over time.
- Despite concerns of a bubble, networks continue paying exorbitant fees for major sports packages.