With former writing partner Rob Long, he worked on the final four seasons of NBC's Cheers.

Staley & Long wrote 14 episodes of Cheers and eventually rose to be co-executive producers for the show’s final season (1992–93).

The team went on to create numerous pilots and series for Paramount's Network Television division, including Pig Sty, Good Company, George and Leo, Love & Money and Men, Women & Dogs.

Staley began writing on his own in 2008; his first solo credit was an episode of the hit U.K. sitcom My Family (BBC) in 2010.

Staley went on to be executive producer and showrunner of Disney Channel's Good Luck Charlie, which ended its 100-episode run in 2014.