Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Jim Nantz

How Jim Nantz built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Jim Nantz is a prominent American sportscaster renowned for his long-standing career with CBS Sports. Starting in the 1980s, he has covered major sporting events across the NFL, NCAA Division I men's basketball, the NBA, and the PGA Tour. Nantz is particularly recognized for anchoring CBS's Masters Tournament coverage since 1989 and serving as the lead play-by-play announcer for CBS's NFL broadcasts beginning in 2004. Additionally, he was the primary broadcaster for the NCAA men's basketball tournament from 1990 until 2023, solidifying his status as a voice synonymous with iconic sporting moments.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1982: Joins KSL-TV

In 1982, Jim Nantz joined KSL-TV in Salt Lake City as a weekend sports anchor.

1985: Joins CBS Sports

In 1985, Jim Nantz joined CBS Sports, initially hosting college football and basketball coverage and reporting on PGA Tour golf.

1985: Leaves KSL-TV

In 1985, Jim Nantz left KSL-TV in Salt Lake City.

October 4, 1987: First On-Air NFL Appearance

On October 4, 1987, Jim Nantz made his first on-air appearance during an NFL game as a reporter during the Dallas Cowboys at New York Jets game during the NFL strike. He interviewed fans outside the stadium.

1988: NFL Games on Westwood One

In 1988, Jim Nantz began calling NFL games on Westwood One's Sunday Night Football.

1988: First NFL Play-by-Play Assignments

In 1988, Jim Nantz covered his first NFL play-by-play assignments, including the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Indianapolis Colts game on October 16 with Pat Haden and the Dallas Cowboys at Cleveland Browns game on December 4 with Ken Stabler.

1989: Anchored Masters Tournament Coverage

In 1989, Jim Nantz began anchoring CBS's coverage of the Masters Tournament.

1989: Additional NFL Games

In 1989, Jim Nantz called three additional NFL games alongside analyst Pat Haden.

1989: Play-by-play for College Football

In 1989, Jim Nantz moved from the college football studio show to play-by-play, calling games like the Army-Navy game and the Cotton Bowl, with Pat Haden as an analyst.

1989: Anchors CBS' Coverage of the Masters Tournament

In 1989, Jim Nantz started anchoring CBS' coverage of the Masters Tournament.

1990: Lead Broadcaster for NCAA Tournament

In 1990, Jim Nantz became the lead broadcaster for the NCAA men's basketball tournament.

1990: Lead Play-by-Play for NCAA Final Four

In 1990, Jim Nantz became the lead play-by-play announcer for the NCAA Final Four men's basketball finals following Brent Musburger's departure from CBS.

1990: NFL Games with Tim Brant

In 1990, Jim Nantz called two NFL games with analyst Tim Brant.

1990: Moves to Television NFL Coverage

In 1990, Jim Nantz transitioned from CBS Radio Sports to television, calling NFL games with analyst Tim Brant.

1991: Partners with Billy Packer

In 1991, Jim Nantz began working with Billy Packer as his partner on the NCAA Final Four men's basketball finals.

1991: Full NFL Schedule

In 1991, Jim Nantz worked a full schedule of NFL games on play-by-play, partnering with analyst Hank Stram.

September 1992: Pairs with Dan Fouts

In September 1992, Jim Nantz teamed up with Dan Fouts for two NFL games while Pat Summerall covered the US Open tennis tournament.

October 4, 1992: Pairs with Randy Cross

On October 4, 1992, Jim Nantz partnered with Randy Cross as Cross' regular broadcast partner, Dick Stockton, was covering MLB baseball.

1993: CBS Loses NFL Contract

After the 1993 season, CBS lost its NFL contract.

1993: Full-Time with Randy Cross

In 1993, Jim Nantz joined Randy Cross full-time as his broadcast partner.

January 16, 1994: NFC Divisional Playoff Game

On January 16, 1994, Jim Nantz and Randy Cross called the NFC Divisional Playoff game between the Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys.

1994: Calls Sun Bowl

In 1994, Jim Nantz called the Sun Bowl with analyst Doug Flutie.

1995: Calls Sun Bowl and Fiesta Bowl

In 1995, Jim Nantz called both the Sun Bowl and the Fiesta Bowl with analyst Terry Donahue.

1996: Full Season with Terry Donahue

In 1996, Jim Nantz worked a full season of play-by-play with Terry Donahue.

1997: Returns to College Football Studio Show

In 1997, Jim Nantz returned to hosting the College Football studio show.

1998: Hosts The NFL Today

In 1998, Jim Nantz began hosting CBS's pre-game program, The NFL Today.

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1999: Commentary in Jack Nicklaus 6: Golden Bear Challenge

In 1999, Jim Nantz teamed with Gary McCord to provide commentary in the PC golf game Jack Nicklaus 6: Golden Bear Challenge.

2003: Leaves The NFL Today

In 2003, Jim Nantz left his position as the host of CBS's pre-game program, The NFL Today.

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2004: Lead NFL Play-by-Play Announcer

In 2004, Jim Nantz became the lead play-by-play announcer on CBS's NFL coverage.

2005: Tiger Woods wins the Masters

In 2005, Tiger Woods wins the Masters, which was mentioned by Jim Nantz when calling Tiger Woods' victory at the 2019 Masters Tournament.

February 4, 2007: Called Super Bowl XLI

On February 4, 2007, Jim Nantz provided the play-by-play commentary for Super Bowl XLI.

2008: End of Partnership with Billy Packer

In 2008, Jim Nantz's partnership with Billy Packer on the NCAA Final Four men's basketball finals came to an end.

2008: Tiger Woods wins U.S. Open

In 2008, Tiger Woods wins U.S. Open, which was mentioned by Jim Nantz when calling Tiger Woods' victory at the 2019 Masters Tournament.

2009: Partners with Clark Kellogg

In 2009, Jim Nantz began partnering with Clark Kellogg on the NCAA Final Four men's basketball finals.

2009: Partnership for The Calling wine label

In 2009, Jim Nantz partnered with Peter Deutsch to launch a private wine label called The Calling.

2009: Guest Commentator at The Open Championship

Since 2009, Jim Nantz has served as a guest commentator on the final round of The Open Championship for the BBC.

January 2011: Launch of the Nantz National Alzheimer Center

In January 2011, Jim Nantz and Houston Methodist Hospital launched the Nantz National Alzheimer Center. The center aims to improve care and treatment for Alzheimer's patients through research and investigation of its causes.

2011: Partners with Steve Kerr

In 2011, Jim Nantz began working with Steve Kerr on the NCAA Final Four men's basketball finals.

2012: Commentary for Madden NFL Series

From 2012, Jim Nantz, along with Phil Simms, provided commentary for the Madden NFL series.

2013: End of Partnership with Clark Kellogg

In 2013, Jim Nantz's partnership with Clark Kellogg on the NCAA Final Four men's basketball finals concluded.

2014: Calls Thursday Night Football Games

In 2014, Jim Nantz and Phil Simms called Thursday Night Football games in partnership with CBS and the NFL Network, with Tracy Wolfson as the sideline reporter.

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2014: End of Partnership with Steve Kerr

In 2014, Jim Nantz's partnership with Steve Kerr on the NCAA Final Four men's basketball finals concluded.

2016: End of Commentary for Madden NFL Series

In 2016, Jim Nantz's commentary for the Madden NFL series ended and they were replaced with Brandon Gaudin and Charles Davis.

2017: Tony Romo Replaces Phil Simms

In 2017, Tony Romo replaced Phil Simms as Jim Nantz's color commentator for CBS' NFL telecasts.

2019: Called Super Bowl LIII

In 2019, Jim Nantz and Tony Romo called Super Bowl LIII.

2019: Tiger Woods wins the Masters

In 2019, Jim Nantz called Tiger Woods' victory at the Masters Tournament. This was Woods' first major win since 2008, and his first Masters win since 2005, marking a significant return to form.

2019: Virginia Cavaliers win National Championship

In 2019, Jim Nantz called the end of the National Championship game, where the Virginia Cavaliers secured their first national championship after defeating their opponent. This victory was considered a significant redemption story, especially after their previous loss to a 16th-seeded team.

2019: Guest Appearance at U.S. Open

In 2019, Jim Nantz made a guest appearance with Joe Buck at the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, becoming the only person to commentate at all four of golf's majors.

January 3, 2021: Worked with Boomer Esiason

On January 3, 2021, Jim Nantz worked with Boomer Esiason, who filled in for Tony Romo, for a Week 17 game between the Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Rams.

2021: Called Super Bowl LV

In 2021, Jim Nantz and Tony Romo called Super Bowl LV.

2021: Gonzaga vs UCLA Final Four

In 2021, Jim Nantz called the Final Four game between Gonzaga and UCLA, highlighting a game-winning shot by Suggs.

January 9, 2022: Tom McCarthy Fills In

On January 9, 2022, Tom McCarthy filled in for Jim Nantz for a Week 18 game between the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers due to COVID-19 protocols.

October 2022: Steps Away from Basketball Coverage

In October 2022, Jim Nantz announced his decision to step away from basketball coverage to spend more time with his family, and Ian Eagle was set to replace him.

2022: Scottie Scheffler wins the Masters

In 2022, Jim Nantz called Scottie Scheffler’s first Masters victory.

2023: End of NCAA Broadcasting

In 2023, Jim Nantz concluded his tenure as the lead broadcaster for the NCAA men's basketball tournament.

2024: Called Super Bowl LVIII

In 2024, Jim Nantz and Tony Romo called Super Bowl LVIII.

2024: Chicago Bears–Detroit Lions Thanksgiving game

In 2024, Jim Nantz called the end of the Chicago Bears–Detroit Lions Thanksgiving game where poor clock management by the Bears results in their sixth straight loss and the firing of Matt Eberflus the following day.