AUGUSTA, Ga. – On the final day of his term as chairman of CBS Sports, Sean McManus once again took it all in and headed to Amen Corner at Augusta National Golf Club to have a conversation with his father, who passed away in 2008. . .
“My father loved 'Amen Corner' as much as I did,” he said.
McManus, 69, is the son of Jim McKay, host of ABC's “Wide World of Sports,” who covered 12 Olympics and became one of the most recognizable faces in sports broadcasting. It is. McKay also worked for CBS from 1950 to 1961 and hosted the Masters broadcast from 1957 to 1960. In a media Zoom call last week, CBS's Jim Nantz told the story of how during the week of the 1960 Masters, McKay received a telegram calling a young fledgling producer at ABC Sports named Rune Arlidge.
“My understanding is that there was a payphone on one of the outside walls of the clubhouse, and Mr. McKay called Arlidge and talked to him about the idea for this show, which he called 'Wide World of Sports.' “I was offered the job of hosting the show,” Nantz said.
McManus was born to be involved in sports and grew up traveling to various sporting events with his father. In the fall of 1977 he was hired by ABC Sports and began working as a production assistant at their New York City studio. Speaking at a cocktail reception at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February, McManus said, “My first visit as a production assistant for ABC Sports was here at Pebble Beach. I’m happy to say I have it.”
He joined CBS Sports in December 1996 as president. This is his 69th consecutive year for the Masters on CBS, making it the network's longest current relationship with a sporting event.
“I think you think about the 74 years that the McManus family left their mark on the case,” Nantz said. “It’s pretty amazing to think about a quarter of a century. His father left a mark on this tournament and Sean has also left a big mark on this tournament for 28 years. …That’s why his father left a big mark on this tournament. The symmetry of it being the last show to air on CBS… is pretty amazing.”
CBS Sports commentator Jim Nantz with CBS Sports President David Berson (right) and Chairman Sean McManus before the Final Four semifinals of the 2014 NCAA Men's Division I Championship at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. . (Photo: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports)
CBS has been a partner of the PGA Tour since 1968, and this season the network is broadcasting 18 events during the FedEx Cup season. PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan praised McManus' leadership style at Pebble Beach.
“He's a very outspoken, tough-minded, convicted business person who is highly respected by everyone on his team and everyone he works with. And I see those traits. “I've never seen so much love. It goes back to the person of Sean McManus,” he said.
McManus started considering retirement two years ago, but decided this year was the right time, with CBS broadcasting the Super Bowl in February, the NCAA men's basketball tournament in March and the Masters in April.
“When I was deciding what my last tournament would be, it was clear to me that Augusta National should be my last tournament,” he said.. One of the great privileges of my life and career has been the opportunity to be closely involved with Augusta National and the Masters. And when I look back on my career, Augusta National and the Masters are the things I look back on most proudly. ”
