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Jim Nantz is an American sportscaster who has worked on telecasts of the NFL, NCAA Division I men's basketball, the NBA, and the PGA Tour for CBS Sports since the 1980s. He has anchored CBS's coverage of the Masters Tournament since 1989 and was the lead broadcaster for the NCAA men's basketball tournament from 1990 to 2023. In 2023, Nantz announced his retirement from calling college basketball's Final Four, but he is still the NFL's No. 1 play-by-play voice on CBS, along with the Masters, PGA Championship, and PGA Tour. While Nantz has hinted at potential retirement plans, with a possible date of April 14, 2036, he has not made any official announcements, and continues to be a prominent figure in sports broadcasting.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Retirement plans | Nantz has denied retirement plans, but has stated that if he were to retire, it would be on April 14, 2036, after the 100th Masters Tournament |
| Current role | Nantz is currently the lead broadcaster for the Masters Tournament and the NFL's No. 1 play-by-play voice on CBS, along with the PGA Championship and PGA Tour |
| Career highlights | Nantz has completed the broadcasting three-feat of calling the Super Bowl, the NCAA Men’s Final Four, and the Masters within 63 days, four times |
| Awards | Nantz is a four-time Emmy Award winner and five-time National Sportscaster of the Year |
| Other appearances | Nantz has appeared in episodes of The Price Is Right, Arliss, Yes, Dear, Criminal Minds, and How I Met Your Mother. He has also been in several films, including Tin Cup and Scrapple |
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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 also called NFL games on Westwood One from 1988 to 1990.
In 1989, Nantz moved from the college football studio show to play-by-play for two seasons, calling a full season of games, including the Army-Navy game and the Cotton Bowl. 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 has also appeared on episodes of The Price Is Right to present showcase prizes involving CBS Sports properties, such as attending the 2009 Final Four in Detroit and Super Bowl XLIV in 2010.
Nantz's career also extends beyond sports broadcasting. He appeared as himself in the 1996 film "Tin Cup" and has made appearances in several television series, including "Arliss", "Yes, Dear", "Criminal Minds", and "How I Met Your Mother". He portrayed the announcer for a fictional baseball team in the short-lived series "Clubhouse", and his voice can be heard in the 1998 film "Scrapple". In addition, Nantz has authored a book titled "Always By My Side – A Father's Grace and a Sports Journey Unlike Any Other", which chronicles his father's struggle with Alzheimer's disease and the values he instilled in him.
Nantz has received several accolades for his work in sports broadcasting. He is a four-time Emmy Award winner and a five-time National Sportscaster of the Year. He is also a member of the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame and has been inducted into the Pro Football and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. In 2023, Nantz stepped away from basketball coverage to spend more time with his family, passing the torch to Ian Eagle. However, he continues to be a prominent figure in sports broadcasting, with no plans for retirement in the foreseeable future.
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Nantz's retirement plans
Jim Nantz 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. He has anchored CBS's coverage of the Masters Tournament since 1989 and been the lead play-by-play announcer on CBS's NFL coverage since 2004.
Nantz has no plans to retire anytime soon, but he has stated that he would like to work on 50 Masters Tournaments. In an interview with Scottish Golf Magazine, he said: "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."
Nantz's desire to broadcast the Masters in 2036 stems from his interest in numerology and broadcasting history. He wants to work on 50 Masters Tournaments, and his 50th Masters would be on April 8, 2035. However, after speaking with Jack Whitaker, he decided to aim for the 100th Masters Tournament in 2036. Nantz has been synonymous with the Masters since his first year covering the tournament in 1986, and he plans to continue calling The Masters for a long time.
In addition to his work in sports broadcasting, Nantz has authored a book, "Always By My Side – A Father's Grace and a Sports Journey Unlike Any Other," in which he chronicles his father's battle with Alzheimer's disease. He also established the Nantz National Alzheimer Center in 2011 to improve care and treatment for patients with Alzheimer's through research and investigation.
Nantz has also made appearances in television series and films, such as "Arliss", "Yes, Dear", "Criminal Minds", and "How I Met Your Mother." He has provided commentary for video games like the Golden Tee Golf arcade game series and has been a guest commentator on the final round of The Open Championship for the BBC since 2009.
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Nantz's work at CBS
James William Nantz III, popularly known as Jim Nantz, is an American sportscaster who has been associated with CBS Sports since 1985. Nantz 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. Over the years, he has become a prominent and familiar voice to sports fans and enthusiasts worldwide.
Nantz began his tenure at CBS Sports as the host of the network's college football studio show from 1985 to 1988. He also worked as an on-course reporter for PGA Tour golf and called NFL games on Westwood One from 1988 to 1990. In 1989, he moved from the college football studio show to play-by-play, calling a full season of games, including the Army-Navy game and the Cotton Bowl. Nantz has also anchored CBS's coverage of the Masters Tournament since 1989, becoming synonymous with the tournament and its traditions.
In 1991, Nantz covered the NFL for CBS and continued to work on college football, calling the National Championship Games for the 1996 and 1997 seasons. He returned to hosting the College Football studio show in 1997 and hosted CBS's pre-game program, The NFL Today, from 1998 to 2003. Nantz then became the lead play-by-play announcer for CBS's NFL coverage in 2004, working with analysts such as Phil Simms, Tony Romo, and Hank Stram. He has called multiple Super Bowls, including Super Bowl XLI in 2007 and Super Bowl LVIII in 2024.
In addition to his work on NFL and college football, Nantz has also been the lead broadcaster for the NCAA men's basketball tournament from 1990 to 2023. He has appeared on CBS's coverage of the Olympic Games, including primetime hosting duties during the 1998 Winter Games and co-hosting weekend daytime coverage in 1992 and 1994. Nantz has also lent his voice to various other CBS Sports properties, including the U.S. Open Tennis Championships and NCAA track and field, skiing, and speed skating events.
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Nantz's awards and achievements
James William Nantz III, popularly known as Jim Nantz, is an American sportscaster with a career spanning several decades. Nantz has had a successful career with numerous awards and achievements to his name.
Nantz has been honoured with three Emmy Awards and named National Sportscaster of the Year five times. He has also been inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame. Nantz's career started at CBS in 1985 as the studio host of the network's college football coverage. He moved to the booth to call play-by-play in 1989 and has been the lead play-by-play announcer on CBS's NFL coverage since 2004. He was also the lead broadcaster for the NCAA men's basketball tournament from 1990 to 2023.
In 2007, Nantz became the first broadcaster in history to complete "The Triple", calling the Super Bowl, the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship, and the Masters within 60 days. He has also authored a book, "Always By My Side – A Father's Grace and a Sports Journey Unlike Any Other", in which he tells personal stories from his career in football, basketball, and golf.
In 2011, Nantz and Houston Methodist Hospital launched the Nantz National Alzheimer Center, named after his father, who suffered from Alzheimer's disease. The centre aims to improve care and treatment for patients with Alzheimer's through research and investigation. For his contributions to intercollegiate athletics, Nantz received the NCAA President's Gerald R. Ford Award in 2023.
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Nantz's other media appearances
Jim Nantz has made several media appearances outside of his work as a sports commentator. In 1996, he appeared as himself in the film 'Tin Cup', and has also appeared in episodes of TV series including 'Arliss', 'Yes, Dear', 'Criminal Minds', and 'How I Met Your Mother'. He portrayed an announcer for a fictional baseball team in the short-lived series 'Clubhouse', and his voice can be heard in the 1998 film 'Scrapple'. He also appeared in 'Fantasy Football', a film produced by CBS' sister network Nickelodeon.
Nantz has also appeared on ''The Price Is Right' to present showcase prizes involving CBS Sports properties, such as attending the 2009 Final Four in Detroit and Super Bowl XLIV in 2010. He has featured in several advertising campaigns, including a Papa John's Pizza ad in 2013 with Peyton Manning and John Schnatter, and Capital One's March Madness ad campaign featuring Charles Barkley, Samuel L. Jackson, and Spike Lee.
In addition to his broadcasting career, Nantz is also an author and entrepreneur. He released his first book, 'Always By My Side – A Father's Grace and a Sports Journey Unlike Any Other' in May 2008, which chronicles personal stories from his career and the virtues his father instilled in him. The foreword was written by his friend and golf partner, former President George H. W. Bush. In 2012, Nantz launched his private wine label, 'The Calling', in collaboration with wine producer Peter Deutsch.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, as of 2025, Jim Nantz is still announcing golf. He has anchored CBS's coverage of the Masters Tournament since 1989 and the PGA Championship since 1991.
Jim Nantz has been the lead play-by-play announcer for CBS's coverage of the NFL since 2004. He has also announced college football, college basketball, the NBA, and Olympic Games.
Yes, Jim Nantz has appeared as himself in various TV series, including "Arliss", "Yes, Dear", "Criminal Minds", and "How I Met Your Mother". He also appeared in the films "Tin Cup" and "Scrapple". Additionally, he has worked on advertising campaigns and authored a book.
Jim Nantz played golf in high school and for the Cougars men's golf team at the University of Houston, where he roomed with future professional golfers Fred Couples and Blaine McCallister.
In 2020, Jim Nantz denied rumours of his retirement, stating that he wanted to continue working as long as he could. However, in 2025, he revealed that April 14, 2036, could be a "pretty good exit point", marking the 100th anniversary of the Masters Tournament and 50 years since his first call at Augusta National.
