Full Breakdown
Luis Silberwasser Departs TNT Sports as Paramount-Skydance-Warner Bros. Discovery Merger Forms Skydance Sports Group
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Leadership Change Amid $111 Billion Merger
Luis Silberwasser, chairman and CEO of TNT Sports, told his staff on Monday he will leave once the Paramount–Warner Bros. Discovery merger closes. The $111 billion transaction, set to be signed on Oct. 6, will rename the combined entity “Skydance.” CBS Sports president and CEO David Berson is slated to lead the new global sports division that will unite CBS Sports, TNT Sports and Warner Bros. Discovery Sports under the Skydance umbrella.
Background & Context: Build-up to the Merger
The deal merges Paramount’s film and TV assets with Warner Bros. Discovery’s sports portfolio, creating one of the largest collections of premium sports rights worldwide. It follows Warner Bros. Discovery’s loss of NBA live rights in 2025, ending a four-decade partnership. Silberwasser returned to the Discovery family in summer 2022 after senior roles at Telemundo and Univision.
Timeline
- Summer 2022 – Silberwasser becomes head of TNT Sports.
- Monday (early Oct 2026) – Silberwasser emails staff announcing his departure effective upon merger completion.
- Oct. 6, 2026 – Scheduled closing of the Paramount–Warner Bros. Discovery merger; Skydance name adopted.
- Later in the week – Formal announcement of David Berson’s role leading the combined sports operation is expected.
Data & Statistics: Combined Sports Rights Portfolio
The merged group will control:
- NFL Sunday afternoon games
- NBA digital properties through 2029-30 (settlement)
- MLB, NHL, U.S. Soccer national teams
- French Open (Roland Garros)
- College Football Playoff and all-college football packages
- Men’s March Madness and WNBA rights
- PGA Tour and The Masters
- AEW events and NASCAR races
These assets will be integrated with CBS Sports’ existing holdings, including the NFL, college football, PGA Tour and WNBA.
Official Statements & Responses
In his internal memo, Silberwasser highlighted the “extraordinary transformation” the sports industry has undergone since his 2022 arrival and said TNT Sports is “healthier and stronger than ever.” He expressed “tremendous respect” for CBS Sports leadership and pledged support during the transition. Skydance chairman David Ellison announced the new C-suite lineup, noting the sports division will report to Skydance TV Chair George Cheeks. A CBS spokesperson declined to comment.
Verbatim Quote
- “When I joined TNT Sports in the summer of 2022, our company, our sports division, and the broader media industry were entering a period of extraordinary transformation,” — Luis Silberwasser
What’s Next
A formal announcement confirming David Berson’s appointment is slated for the coming days. The Oct. 6 closure will trigger integration of rights packages and a review of the portfolio as Skydance works to reduce nearly $80 billion of debt in the coming years.