Bess Barnes serves as vice president, programming at CBS Sports, a role she has had since 2017. Barnes oversees golf programming for CBS Sports, including scheduling, acquisitions and partner relations – working closely with the PGA of America, PGA TOUR and Augusta National – while also leading the scheduling for all college basketball games across CBS Sports and CBS Sports Network. In her current position, she manages relationships with key league and school partners, including the Big Ten and Big 12, among others, while also creating programming schedules for marquee properties, including the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament, regular season college basketball and PGA TOUR golf. Prior to managing CBS Sports’ golf properties, Barnes oversaw college football scheduling, including the SEC on CBS, for five seasons.

During her career at CBS Sports, Barnes has been a part of several important media rights deals, including renewals with the Big Ten, PGA of America and PGA TOUR, as well as the extension of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament deal in conjunction with Turner Sports. She created the CBS Sports Classic – an annual college basketball doubleheader which airs on CBS featuring legendary programs Kentucky, North Carolina, UCLA and Ohio State – and the Veterans Classic – an annual college basketball showcase which airs on CBS Sports Network that brings together teams from across the country in celebration of Veterans Day. Barnes also was responsible for bringing the Big Ten Women’s Championship game to broadcast television for the first time ever in 2023 and the first ever college bowl game to CBS Sports Network, the Cure Bowl, in 2015.

Barnes is also co-chair of the corporate cross-departmental WE NEED TO TALK Steering Committee, acting as a driving force behind the show’s 10th anniversary, celebrated in 2024. Barnes also serves on the board of directors for the Collegiate Women’s Sports Awards and First Tee – Connecticut, in addition to operating as a mentor for the First Tee’s National Scholars program.

Prior to joining CBS Sports in 2012, Barnes spent 10 years at ESPN, most recently as director, programming and acquisitions. Barnes is a graduate of the University of Michigan, where she served as captain of the university’s Division I golf team.

Past awards include: Broadcasting & Cable’s Women in the Game (2020); WISE Executive Leadership Institute Participant (2019); Sports Business Journal Forty Under 40 (2014); The Big Lead’s 40 under 40: Behind the Scenes in Sports Media (2017).

Featured in: Monday SVGW Women’s Sports Workshop (12/16)