History of Jim Nantz in Timeline
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.
May 17, 1959: Jim Nantz Born
On May 17, 1959, James William Nantz III, later known as the sportscaster Jim Nantz, was born.
1981: Graduation from University of Houston
In 1981, Jim Nantz graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Arts in Radio and Television Broadcasting.
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.
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: Appearance in Tin Cup
In 1996, Jim Nantz appeared as himself in the film Tin Cup.
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.
1998: Voice in Scrapple
In 1998, Jim Nantz's voice was heard in the film Scrapple.
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.
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.
May 2008: Release of 'Always By My Side'
In May 2008, Jim Nantz's first book, "Always By My Side – A Father's Grace and a Sports Journey Unlike Any Other", was released. The book contains personal stories from football, basketball, and golf.
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.
November 2009: Divorce Settlement
In November 2009, Jim Nantz was ordered to pay his ex-wife $916,000 a year in child support and alimony following their divorce.
2009: Showcase Appearance on The Price Is Right
In 2009, Jim Nantz appeared on The Price Is Right to present a Showcase prize that involved CBS Sports properties, including attending the 2009 Final Four in Detroit.
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.
2010: Showcase Appearance for Super Bowl XLIV
In 2010, Jim Nantz appeared on The Price Is Right to present a Showcase prize for Super Bowl XLIV with Phil Simms.
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.
October 2011: Purchase of Pebble Beach Home
In October 2011, Jim Nantz bought a home overlooking the Pebble Beach Links, featuring a replica of the seventh hole in the backyard.
2011: Partners with Steve Kerr
In 2011, Jim Nantz began working with Steve Kerr on the NCAA Final Four men's basketball finals.
June 9, 2012: Marriage to Courtney Richards
On June 9, 2012, Jim Nantz married Courtney Richards at the Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach, California.
2012: Commentary for Madden NFL Series
From 2012, Jim Nantz, along with Phil Simms, provided commentary for the Madden NFL series.
2012: First vintage release of The Calling
In 2012, the first vintage of Jim Nantz's wine label, The Calling, was released.
2013: Papa John's Pizza Ad
In 2013, Jim Nantz appeared in a Papa John's Pizza ad with Peyton Manning and John Schnatter.
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.
2014: Birth of daughter
In 2014, Jim Nantz and his wife Courtney Richards had a daughter.
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: Birth of son
In 2016, Jim Nantz and his wife Courtney Richards had a son.
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.
2020: Romo Works Remotely
In 2020, Tony Romo had to work the Wild Card game between the Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints remotely due to COVID-19 protocols.
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: Move to Nashville
In 2021, Jim Nantz and his family moved to Nashville, Tennessee.
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.
2025: Rory McIlroy wins the Masters Tournament
In 2025, Jim Nantz called Rory McIlroy's winning putt at the Masters Tournament, marking McIlroy's completion of the career grand slam.
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