Amy Salmanson — CBS Sports

We need to talk — about Amy Salmanson.

As senior producer at CBS Sports, Salmanson heads up the network’s studio coverage and is the lead sideline producer for the NFL on CBS.

She’s spent nearly her entire career at the company and just celebrated 17 years, moving through a variety of roles and adding responsibility each time. She also manages CBS Sports’ Broadcast Associates, serving as a mentor for younger women advancing up through the company.

Salmanson is gearing up to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of “We Need to Talk,” the network’s all-women studio show, and the No. 1 career highlight for Salmanson. Ten years ago, as the show was about to hit the air at 10 p.m., she walked into the newsroom and was struck by the significance of the moment.

“That was unheard of to have a show like that,” said Salmanson. “To stand in that room and watch it hit air was my one moment of why we did it.”

Fast-forward to this September, all the women are once again flying to New York for a 10th anniversary show.

Citing recent WNBA and ESPN women-led pregame shows, Salmanson believes that CBS has “had an impact” on the movement of women’s sports.

“That’s something I’m really proud of,” she said, also referencing bringing “We Need to Talk” to traditionally male-dominated spaces such as the Masters and the men’s Final Four.

In addition to the acclaimed studio show, Salmanson produces “Inside College Football” and “Inside College Basketball,” as well as specials around CBS Sports’ biggest events.

“I would put our programming up against anyone,” said Salmanson. — Mollie Cahillane