Jim Nantz

Jim Nantz is an American sportscaster who has served as the lead play-by-play announcer for CBS Sports since the late 1980s. He is renowned for his smooth, authoritative delivery and has become the signature voice for some of the nation's most prestigious sporting events. His career is defined by long-standing associations with The Masters, the National Football League, and the NCAA basketball tournament.

Early life and education

Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, he was raised in Colts Neck, New Jersey, where he developed a passion for sports broadcasting. He attended Middletown High School South before enrolling at the University of Houston, where he majored in radio and television. While at Houston, he worked at the campus radio station and called games for the Cougars football and basketball teams, laying the foundation for his professional career. He graduated in 1981 and began his broadcasting journey with local stations in Houston.

Broadcasting career

He joined CBS Sports in 1985, initially covering a wide array of events including college football, tennis, and golf. His big break came in 1986 when he was assigned to host *The NFL Today* studio show. By 1990, he had ascended to the lead play-by-play role for the NCAA Final Four, a position he held for over three decades. His versatility was further showcased when he became the lead voice for The Masters in 1989 and the primary play-by-play announcer for CBS's NFL coverage in 1998, following the retirement of legendary broadcaster Pat Summerall.

Major events and signature calls

His broadcasting resume is a chronicle of American sports history, featuring iconic calls at major championships. He is synonymous with Augusta National Golf Club, having narrated every Masters Tournament since 1989, famously coining the event's romanticized tagline, "A tradition unlike any other." In college basketball, he called numerous national championship games, including the historic 1992 East Regional final clash between Duke and Kentucky. For the National Football League, he has called multiple Super Bowl broadcasts, including Super Bowl XLI and Super Bowl LIV, often punctuating dramatic moments with his signature phrase, "Hello, friends."

Personal life

He has been married three times and has two children. He is a dedicated philanthropist, particularly in the fight against Alzheimer's disease, a cause inspired by his father's battle with the illness. This commitment led to his involvement with the Nantz National Alzheimer Center at the Houston Methodist Hospital. An avid golfer, he maintains close friendships with many figures in the sport, including Phil Mickelson and the late Arnold Palmer. He resides primarily in Naples, Florida.

Awards and honors

His esteemed career has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards. He is a multiple-time recipient of the National Sportscaster of the Year Award and has won several Sports Emmy Awards for Outstanding Sports Personality and Play-by-Play. In 2011, he was inducted into the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Hall of Fame. Furthermore, he received the PGA of America's Lifetime Achievement Award in Journalism and has a street named in his honor on the campus of the University of Houston.

Category:American sportscasters Category:1959 births Category:Living people