Pride-Themed Edition of WE NEED TO TALK to Feature Interviews with Martina Navratilova, CeCé Telfer and Ryan O’Callaghan

Vignette Series to Highlight Issues Facing LGBTQ+ Athletes

CBS Sports is celebrating Pride Month with LGBTQ+-focused storytelling, including a special Pride-themed episode of WE NEED TO TALK airing on CBS Sports Network on Wednesday, June 9 (7:00 PM, ET).

In this episode of WE NEED TO TALK, Lesley Visser sits down with former professional tennis player Martina Navratilova, who details her experience as a gay athlete and the progress that has been made in the LGBTQ+ space in sports. Dana Jacobson speaks with CeCé Telfer, a hurdler and the first openly transgender woman to win an NCAA title, about the dialogue around transgender athletes in sports. WE NEED TO TALK will also include features on LGBTQ+ recreational league sports and Ryan O’Callaghan – an openly gay former NFL offensive tackle. Tracy Wolfson hosts.

Additionally throughout the month of June, CBS Sports is featuring “Out in the Game,” a vignette series highlighting issues facing LGBTQ+ athletes across the professional sports world. The vignettes are airing across the CBS Television Network, CBS Sports Network and ViacomCBS’ digital and social properties. The series was researched, written, edited and produced by members of CBS Sports’ LGBTQ+ community, as well as allies across the division. Mike De Fusco and David Brand produced.

Below are details on the interview subjects:

• Jennifer Azzi, retired WNBA player and former University of San Francisco women's basketball coach

• Thomas Beattie, openly gay former soccer player

• Jason Collins, first openly gay man to play in the NBA

• Wade Davis, openly gay former NFL cornerback

• Dr. Chris Donaghue, clinical social worker, sex therapist, LGBTQ+ mental healthcare provider

• David Hollander, NYU professor and assistant dean

• Stefanie Loh, openly lesbian Seattle Times features editor

• Patricio Manuel, the first openly transgender professional boxer

• Jared Max, openly gay sports reporter for FOX News Headlines 24/7

• David McFarland, executive producer of Alone in the Game, a documentary about LGBTQ+ athletes

• Erin McLeod, openly gay player on the NWSL’s Orlando Pride

• Ryan O'Callaghan, openly gay former NFL offensive tackle

• Scott Pioli, former NFL executive, LGBTQ+ rights advocate

• Hig Roberts, openly gay former U.S. ski team member

• Danielle Robinson, guard for the WNBA’s Indiana Fever

• Ryan Russell, openly bisexual NFL player

• CeCé Telfer, hurdler and the first openly transgender woman to win an NCAA title

• Cyd Zeigler, co-founder of Outsports.com

Click here to view one of the vignettes.

WE NEED TO TALK is led by Emmy Award-winning Coordinating Producers Emilie Deutsch and Suzanne Smith. Amy Salmanson and Julie Keryc produce with Smith directing.

CBS Sports Network, the 24-hour home of CBS Sports, is widely available through all major cable, satellite and telco distributors as well as via OTT streaming service providers YouTube TV, fuboTV, DirecTV and Hulu. Additionally, a live CBS Sports Network stream is available through CBSSports.com and the CBS Sports App by authenticating with select providers. For more information, including a full programming schedule, go to www.cbssportsnetwork.com

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Press Contact:

Bailey Knecht 212-975-1533 bailey.knecht@cbs.com