For 16 years, Mike Aresco worked alongside Sean McManus at CBS Sports - Aresco as executive vice president with oversight of college sports and McManus as chairman. As McManus’ tenure came to an end with the conclusion of The Masters, Commissioner Aresco reflects on the impact his longtime friend has made.
 
 

Sean McManus is, quite simply, one of the greatest executives in broadcast history.  From rebuilding CBS Sports and bringing the NFL back to the network, to overseeing the exemplary events that were acquired and nurtured during his tenure, and to establishing and maintaining strong production values, his contributions and leadership cannot be overstated.

I had the privilege of working for and with Sean for 16 of the best years of my professional life.  Sean made it a pleasure to come to work each day.  He never micromanaged, he let his people do their jobs.  He never second-guessed decisions and always gave a fair and respectful hearing to proposals with which he may not have agreed.  And one of his greatest qualities, not necessarily common in bosses, was his ability, if you had a disagreement with him on something, which was rare, he never remembered it a day later, which along with his personal warmth and outstanding sense of humor, made for a great work environment.

I know that I share with other executives and personnel at CBS Sports many fond memories of days and nights in the CBS New York studio as the sports division televised so many memorable games and events under Sean’s leadership.  The intensity of the NCAA regional telecasts over many years was a highlight.

Sean also did an outstanding job at CBS News, stabilizing and improving the news division while still running CBS Sports, not an easy task and a dual responsibility that only one other individual, -one of his heroes, Roone Arledge- was able to undertake, years ago at ABC Sports and News.  Sean grew up in the sports media business as the son of legendary ABC announcer Jim McKay, and has greatly embellished the family tradition.  He was also mentored by the legendary sports agent and rights organizer Barry Frank, who once paid him a wonderful tribute by saying “the student has exceeded the master.”

It was a privilege to continue working with Sean during my time as Commissioner of the American Athletic Conference, as we have enjoyed a longstanding network basketball relationship with CBS Sports, and also enjoyed a football sublicense agreement with CBS Sports Network during the formative years of our conference.  All of us at the American recall with gratitude Sean’s early and strong public support when we reinvented the conference in 2013.

Everyone who worked under Sean at CBS Sports, and all sports fans around the country, are in his debt.  His legacy is secure and the sports world will miss him, although we all hope he continues to make a contribution in his next chapter.  On behalf of our conference, we wish Sean the best in his well-earned retirement and we send our best wishes to Sean, his lovely wife Tracy, and his children, Maggie and Jackson, for a rewarding rest of the year and beyond.