Skydance Sports Leadership Finalized Under Berson Amid Broader Corporate Restructuring

Key points

• David Berson, Skydance Global Sports Chairman, circulated a memo outlining new leadership roles and exits within the sports division.
• Nate Smeltz, Harold Bryant, Sophia Constantinides, Patrick Crumb, Donald Knight, and Raphael Poplock have exited the company.
• Craig Berry was named EVP and Chief Content Officer, while Jeff Gerttula was appointed EVP and Managing Director for digital and international strategy.
• The new structure consolidates rights for the NFL, MLB, NHL, and March Madness under a single global sports division.
• These changes coincide with the appointment of George Cheeks as Co-Chair of Skydance TV and the establishment of a new finance leadership team.

Background

This restructuring occurs weeks after Skydance completed its $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, creating a combined entity with nearly $70 billion in annual revenue and $80 billion in net debt. Previous coverage noted that Luis Silberwasser, former TNT Sports CEO, had already departed, and David Berson was designated to lead the consolidated sports division. The company is currently pursuing $6 billion in annualized cost savings, a goal supported by recent investments from Elon Musk and strategic shifts in content and operations.

How outlets are covering it

Front Office Sports and Sports Business Journal provided detailed rosters of the new sports leadership team, highlighting specific promotions and exits. Deadline emphasized the broader context of George Cheeks unveiling the entire Skydance TV leadership team, including studios and news divisions, framing the sports changes as part of a larger corporate integration. Variety focused on the parallel appointment of a new finance leadership team under Dennis Cinelli, noting the critical role of financial integration in achieving cost savings. While all sources confirm the structural changes, Front Office Sports and Sports Business Journal offered the most granular details on individual executive roles within the sports division, whereas Deadline and Variety contextualized these moves within the wider Skydance corporate hierarchy and financial strategy.

Why it matters

The consolidation of sports leadership under David Berson signals a unified strategy for managing high-value rights across CBS and TNT Sports. This restructuring is a key component of Skydance's broader effort to streamline operations and achieve significant cost savings following a massive merger. The departure of senior executives and the appointment of new leaders indicate a shift in operational priorities and a focus on integrating the combined assets of Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery into a cohesive media entity.

What to watch

Skydance is expected to continue its integration process, with further details on the Skydance Sports Entertainment division to be announced. The company will likely proceed with additional rounds of layoffs to meet its $6 billion cost-saving target. The new leadership team will focus on executing the strategic plan outlined by George Cheeks, emphasizing storytelling, audience connection, and operational efficiency across all divisions.