Campaign to Include On-Site Event in Washington D.C., Title IX Episode on CBS, Interview Specials and Exclusive Social Content

In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the passage of Title IX, CBS Sports continues its yearlong celebration of the landmark law that opened the doors for women's sports to grow in America, under the network’s WE NEED TO TALK brand. In June, CBS Sports will kick off two months of special programming with Title IX content and events, sponsored by Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual). The campaign will be highlighted by an on-site event and show at American University in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, June 16 and a new episode of WE NEED TO TALK – CBS Sports’ critically acclaimed studio show – on Sunday, June 19 (1:00 PM, ET) on the CBS Television Network and Paramount+.

The June 19^th show will originate from both American University and the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City. The episode will focus on the historic legislation of Title IX and its impact over the years with features, guests and discussion. The show will kick off a day of women’s sports programming on CBS and Paramount+, followed by a WNBA matchup between the Connecticut Sun and Washington Mystics (2:00 PM, ET) and an NWSL match between NJ/NY Gotham FC and San Diego Wave FC (4:00 PM, ET).

The June 16^th on-site event will also include a panel discussion and mentoring event for American University students, as well as students from other universities in Washington, D.C. Panelists and mentors will include WE NEED TO TALK hosts, CBS Sports executives and university faculty.  

WE NEED TO TALK will feature another Title IX-focused show on Thursday, June 23, the official anniversary of Title IX. The episode will air at 7:00 PM ET on CBS Sports Network.

Also as part of the programming, WE NEED TO TALK will air a four-part interview series on CBS Sports Network from June through July, with first-hand anecdotes and cross-generational conversations about the impact of Title IX. Subjects will include Olympic swimmer, activist, broadcaster Donna de Varona with Hall of Fame broadcaster Lesley Visser, two-time national champion coach Dawn Staley with Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Lisa Leslie, and UConn All-American Paige Bueckers with two-time WNBA champion Renee Montgomery. The first episode airs on Friday, June 17 at 9 PM, ET.

WE NEED TO TALK social channels will feature an exclusive interview series, featuring discussions about Title IX with current and former athletes. The series will appear across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. CBS Sports will also feature custom brand creative and promotional materials across the network’s linear and digital platforms, as well as a Times Square billboard.

The campaign is a continuation of WE NEED TO TALK’s yearlong commemoration of Title IX, which includes inspiring features and custom vignettes. Title IX content is appearing in each of the 15 regular episodes of WE NEED TO TALK this year, as well as across CBS Sports’ digital and social platforms.

About WE NEED TO TALK

WE NEED TO TALK offers a unique take on the world of sports through the eyes of some of the most influential women in the business. The roster of commentators on this award-winning program includes prominent sports broadcasters Tracy Wolfson, Dana Jacobson, Tina Cervasio, Sarah Kustok, Jamie Erdahl, and AJ Ross; accomplished journalists Lesley Visser, Andrea Kremer, and Aditi Kinkhabwala; pioneering executives Katrina Adams and Amy Trask; and elite athletes Lisa Leslie, Swin Cash, Summer Sanders, Dara Torres, and Renee Montgomery. Between them, they have collected 22 Olympic medals, 14 Emmy Awards, two NFL Hall of Fame inductions, and dozens of groundbreaking firsts in the world of sports.

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. Follow WE NEED TO TALK on Twitter and Instagram.

Media Contacts:

Bailey Knecht, CBS Sports, bailey.knecht@viacomcbs.com