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As of 2025, Jim Nantz is still announcing golf. He has been a mainstay in CBS's golf coverage for nearly two-thirds of the 68 years that the network has been broadcasting the PGA Tour. Nantz has anchored CBS's coverage of the Masters Tournament since 1989 and has been the lead broadcaster for the NCAA men's basketball tournament from 1990 to 2023. He has also been the network's top voice for its PGA Tour telecasts. In 2025, Nantz will be broadcasting his 40th Masters, and he has stated that he would like to continue until the 100th Masters in 2036, when he will retire.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Retirement plans | Nantz has stated that he hopes to retire after the 100th Masters in 2036, when he will be 76 years old. |
| Current role | Nantz is currently the lead broadcaster for the Masters Tournament on CBS, a position he has held since 1989. He is also the network's top voice for its PGA Tour telecasts and NFL broadcasts. |
| Career highlights | Nantz has been a commentator for CBS Sports since the 1980s, covering sports such as football, basketball, and golf. He has won multiple Emmy Awards for his work. |
| Public statements | Nantz has stated that he has never officially declared a retirement date and that his comments about retiring in 2036 were misconstrued by the media. |
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What You'll Learn
Jim Nantz's career
James William Nantz III, born on May 17, 1959, is an American sportscaster who has worked on telecasts of the National Football League (NFL), NCAA Division I men's basketball, the NBA, and the PGA Tour for CBS Sports since the 1980s. Nantz joined CBS Sports in 1985, initially working as a studio host for CBS's college football and basketball coverage and as an on-course reporter for PGA Tour golf. He has anchored CBS's coverage of the Masters Tournament since 1989 and has been the lead play-by-play announcer on CBS's NFL coverage since 2004.
Nantz's career in sports broadcasting began with the CBS Radio Network while he was still a student, transmitting taped interviews to Win Elliot for the latter's Sports Central USA weekend reports. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Radio and Television Broadcasting in 1981, he started as an anchor and sportscaster for KHOU in Houston, Texas, in the early 1980s. He then became a weekend sports anchor on KSL-TV in Salt Lake City from 1982 to 1985, where he called BYU football games and Utah Jazz games alongside Hot Rod Hundley.
In 1985, Nantz joined CBS Sports, working as a studio host for college football and basketball coverage and as an on-course reporter for PGA Tour golf. During the 1987 NFL strike, he made his first on-air appearance for CBS during an NFL game, serving as a reporter and interviewing fans outside the stadium and in the crowd. In 1988, he worked his first NFL play-by-play assignments, covering several games with his college football partner Haden and analyst Ken Stabler.
Nantz has become a mainstay in CBS's golf coverage, with 2025 marking his 40th year in the role. He has also been CBS's top play-by-play announcer for NFL broadcasts and participated in his first Masters broadcast in 1986. In addition to his broadcasting career, Nantz has made appearances in television series and films, such as "Arliss", "Yes, Dear", "Criminal Minds", and "How I Met Your Mother". He has also been a guest commentator on the final round of The Open Championship for the BBC since 2009.
Nantz has set a target retirement date of April 14, 2036, after the final round of the 100th Masters at Augusta National. However, he acknowledges that this depends on his health and whether CBS and Augusta National want him to continue.
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Nantz's retirement plans
As of 2025, Jim Nantz is still a commentator for CBS Sports, covering the PGA Tour. He has been a mainstay in the network's golf coverage for nearly two-thirds of its 68-year run.
Nantz has set a target retirement date of April 14, 2036, after the final round of the 100th Masters at Augusta National. This would be his 51st time calling the Masters and would mark the end of a remarkable career that has spanned five decades.
Nantz, who was born in Charlotte, a stone's throw from Augusta, has been vocal about his retirement plans for the Masters. He told the Scottish golf magazine, *Bunkered*, that he would like to continue broadcasting through the playing of the 100th Masters in 2036:
> "A lot of things have to happen for that to occur. First off, my health would have to hold up. Secondly, CBS and Augusta National would have to want me to come back. But if all the stars aligned, right now, it feels like a pretty good exit point. April 14, 2036. That is my scheduled retirement date. It would be a perfect place to walk out—but I know what’s going to happen. I’m going to get to that year, and I’m going to say, 'You know, maybe I could do this for a while longer.' We have broadcasters over here that have gone on well into their 80s, so that’s one of those ‘wait and sees’, I guess."
Nantz's love for the Masters is well known, and he has been synonymous with Augusta since his first broadcast in 1986, which coincided with Jack Nicklaus' famous final victory. He has anchored CBS's coverage of the Masters Tournament since 1989.
In addition to his golf commentary, Nantz has also been the lead play-by-play announcer on CBS's NFL coverage since 2004 and has worked on telecasts of the NBA and NCAA Division I men's basketball. He has also lent his voice to various other projects, including appearances on TV shows and in films, video games, and advertisements.
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Nantz's views on his career
James William Nantz III, born on May 17, 1959, in Charlotte, North Carolina, is a renowned American sportscaster with an impressive career in NFL, NCAA basketball, and golf. He grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana, and Marlboro Township, New Jersey, where he attended Marlboro High School. At the University of Houston, Nantz played on the men's golf team alongside future professionals Fred Couples and Blaine McCallister. He graduated in 1981 with a Bachelor of Arts in Radio and Television Broadcasting.
Nantz began his broadcasting career at CBS Sports in 1985. Initially, he served as a studio host for college football and basketball coverage. Over time, he became the lead play-by-play announcer for the NFL on CBS and anchored coverage of the Masters Tournament since 1989. Notably, Nantz was the lead broadcaster for the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament from 1990 to 2023. His signature phrase, "'Hello, friends,'" has become synonymous with his broadcasts.
Nantz has earned a substantial salary over the years, reflecting his status as one of the highest-paid sportscasters in the industry. In 2022, his salary was reported at $10.5 million, and by 2023, estimates placed it at approximately $12 million. Nantz has also received numerous accolades throughout his career, including two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Sports Personality – Play-By-Play and being named National Sportscaster of the Year five times.
Nantz has expressed his passion for golf, which extends beyond his career. At his residence in Pebble Beach, California, he constructed a replica of the par-three seventh hole, allowing him to practice and enjoy the game he loves. Nantz describes being a part of the CBS golf crew as "one of the great joys of my life." He also expressed his intention to continue broadcasting through the playing of the 100th Masters in 2036, setting a target retirement date for himself.
In addition to his broadcasting career, Nantz has made appearances in television series and films, such as "Arliss," "Yes, Dear," "Criminal Minds," and "How I Met Your Mother." He has also authored a book, "Always By My Side – A Father's Grace and a Sports Journey Unlike Any Other," in which he shares personal stories from his career and the virtues his father instilled in him.
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Nantz's work outside broadcasting
Jim Nantz is a well-known American sportscaster, best recognized as the lead play-by-play announcer for CBS Sports' coverage of the NFL and the NCAA men's basketball tournament. However, his work extends beyond just broadcasting sports events. Here is an overview of Nantz's notable endeavors outside of broadcasting:
Writing and Authoring: Jim Nantz has authored or co-authored several books throughout his career. He often collaborates with noted sportswriters or golf journalists to craft these titles. One of his most prominent books is "Always By My Side: A Father's Grace and a Sports Journey Unlike Any Other," which he co-wrote with Dan Jenkins. The book is a tribute to his father, who passed away in 2008, and it intertwines stories of their relationship with Jim's broadcasting career. Another book, "The Road to Augusta," was co-authored with golf writer Lorne Rubenstein and chronicled Nantz's journey to becoming the lead broadcaster for The Masters.
Entrepreneurial Ventures: In 2016, Nantz founded a wine label called The Calling, which specializes in producing high-quality wines from California's Napa Valley and Sonoma County. He is also involved in the day-to-day operations of the brand and has described his role as similar to that of a "player-coach." The brand has received recognition for its wines, with some of its offerings making it into the Wine Spectator's Top 100 list.
Additionally, Nantz has shown an interest in the hospitality industry. He is a partner in the restaurant and sports bar, The End Zone, located in New York City. The establishment features a sports-themed atmosphere and offers a variety of American cuisine options.
Philanthropy: Jim Nantz is actively involved in charitable initiatives and has established the Jim Nantz National Alzheimer's Disease Assistance Fund through the Alzheimer's Association. He started this fund as a tribute to his father, who suffered from the disease. The fund provides financial support to families affected by Alzheimer's, helping them cover costs associated with in-home care, day care, respite care, and medical alert systems. Nantz is also an avid supporter of Birdies for the Brave, a national military outreach initiative that is supported by PGA TOUR players and the TPC Network.
Nantz has also served as a member of the National Advisory Board for the Positive Coaching Alliance, an organization dedicated to creating a positive, character-building youth sports experience. He has been recognized for his charitable efforts, receiving the Ambassador of Golf Award from the PGA of America in 2011, which honors those who help promote the game of golf through their actions and values.
While Jim Nantz is predominantly known for his broadcasting career, his work outside of this realm showcases his diverse interests and dedication to making a positive impact beyond the sports world.
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Nantz's personal life
James William Nantz III, better known as Jim Nantz, is an American sportscaster born on May 17, 1959, in Charlotte, North Carolina. He grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana, Colts Neck Township, New Jersey, and Marlboro Township, New Jersey, where he attended Marlboro High School. In high school, he was co-captain of the basketball team and co-captain and number one player on the golf team. He was a member of the Bamm Hollow Country Club.
Nantz attended the University of Houston, where he played on the Cougars men's golf team, rooming with future professional golfers Fred Couples and Blaine McCallister. His fidelity to the sport is unquestioned, with CBS Sports president David Berson describing him as "the voice of the sport. He lives and breathes golf."
Nantz began his career in the early 1980s as a sportscaster and anchor for KHOU Houston, a CBS-affiliated television station in Houston, Texas. He later worked as a sports anchor for KSL-TV, an NBC-affiliated television channel in Salt Lake City, Utah, from 1982 to 1985. In 1985, he joined CBS Sports, initially working as a studio host and reporter for college football, basketball, and PGA Tour golf. He has since become a mainstay in CBS's golf coverage, embarking on his 40th year in 2025.
Nantz has been married to Courtney Richards since 2012. They have two children together, Finley and Jameson, and live in Nashville as of 2021. Nantz also has a daughter, Caroline, from his first marriage. Nantz's father, Jim Nantz Jr., passed away in 2008 after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. In 2011, Nantz and Houston Methodist Hospital launched the Nantz National Alzheimer Center to improve care and treatment for patients with Alzheimer's through research and investigation.
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Frequently asked questions
Nantz has stated that he hopes to continue broadcasting golf until the 100th Masters in 2036, when he will be 76 years old. He has, however, denied that he has set a retirement date, stating that he will continue "year-to-year".
Nantz is CBS's top play-by-play announcer for NFL broadcasts and is the network's top voice for its PGA Tour telecasts. He has been with CBS since 1985, initially working as a studio host for college football and basketball coverage.
Nantz was a college golfer at the University of Houston, where he played on the Cougars men's golf team. He also co-authored a book titled "Always By My Side – A Father's Grace and a Sports Journey Unlike Any Other", which includes personal stories from golf.
Nantz often says "Hello, friends" when announcing golf, and he has also used "Goodbye, friends" when discussing his potential retirement.
Nantz has not explicitly stated his plans after retiring from broadcasting golf. However, he has expressed a desire to continue working in the industry, stating that he would like to be "there for the hundredth [Masters], but who says that I don't want to be there another 10 years beyond that?".
![Always by My Side (08) by Nantz, Jim [Hardcover (2008)]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/21DsWbhn4DL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
