Luis Silberwasser Exiting TNT Sports as Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger Closes

Luis Silberwasser Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

Luis Silberwasser, chairman and CEO of TNT Sports, is leaving as Paramount’s takeover of TNT parent Warner Bros. Discovery comes to a close.

Silberwasser informed his staff Monday that he’ll step down after the deal closes. The $111 billion merger, which will create an entertainment, sports and news behemoth under the Skydance name, is set to be signed and sealed on Tuesday, Oct. 6.

“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. Since then, we charted a new strategy to grow and redefine TNT Sports while navigating significant change and meaningful headwinds,” Silberwasser wrote in a memo to staff Monday, obtained by The Hollywood Reporter. “Despite many challenges, today’s TNT Sports is healthier and stronger than ever. And by combining with CBS Sports, the new sports division is well positioned to be one of the largest and most exciting portfolios of premium sports rights and distribution platforms.”

CBS Sports president and CEO David Berson is set to lead the combined sports operation, which will have a wide swath of rights packages under its umbrella. TNT Sports will add Major League Baseball, the NHL, U.S. Soccer, the Roland Garros tennis major and women’s basketball outfit Unrivaled to the CBS Sports portfolio of the NFL, college football, PGA Tour and WNBA; it will also combine all of the men’s March Madness rights under one roof and add some more college football and basketball packages to the mix. TNT Sports also has a deal to operate NBA digital properties through the 2029-30 season as part of WBD’s settlement of a lawsuit with the league.

“As the new company takes shape, I believe the combined sports organization is uniquely positioned for the future,” Silberwasser wrote. “We have a world-class portfolio, powerful brands and an exceptionally talented team. We also have a proven track record of working with CBS Sports on the NCAA Tournament — one of the most successful partnerships in the history of sports media. I am truly excited to see both sports teams build that future together.

“I have tremendous respect for our leadership and for the leaders of CBS Sports, who are great colleagues and friends. 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. The success of this organization has always been about the talent, commitment and character of its people, and I know those qualities will continue to define it in the years ahead.”

Silberwasser became head of TNT Sports (then called Warner Bros. Discovery Sports) in 2022, including the company’s Eurosport subsidiary. The job marked a return to the Discovery fold for Silberwasser, who was executive vp and chief content officer for Discovery International before taking roles at Telemundo and Univision.

A formal announcement of Berson’s role leading sports for Skydance is expected in the next couple of days. Skydance chairman and CEO David Ellison on Monday announced the C-suite executives for the combined company; more details are expected to come from a company event Tuesday.

CNBC first reported Silberwasser’s exit.