Former Walt Disney Co. COO Thomas Staggs is leading the race for the CEO role at CBS Corp., The Wall Street Journal reported Dec. 18, citing people with knowledge of the matter.

One of the sources said Staggs is first on the list that includes about 10 people "by a reasonably wide margin." Other potential candidates include Hasbro Inc. CEO and CBS director Brian Goldner and Starz COO Jeffrey Hirsch, a person close to the process said.

Upon being approached for the position, Staggs expressed reservations but remained open to further discussions, the sources close to the parties added. CBS interim CEO Joe Ianniello also remains a possibility for the job.

Strauss Zelnick, CEO of video games company Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. and interim chairman of CBS Corp., has clarified that he is not interested in becoming CEO of CBS Corp.

The news comes after CBS Corp.'s board completed its investigation of former company Chairman and CEO Les Moonves and determined there were grounds for Moonves' termination. As a result, Moonves will not receive any severance payment from the company.

Moonves resigned in September following an article in The New Yorker that detailed allegations of sexual misconduct.