Jim Nantz

Jim Nantz
Name	Jim Nantz
Birth date	1959-05-17
Birth place	Charlotte, North Carolina
Occupation	Sportscaster
Years active	1980s–present

Jim Nantz is an American sportscaster known for his long tenure as a lead announcer for CBS Sports and as a prominent voice across National Football League and golf telecasts. He has served as the primary play-by-play commentator for marquee events including the Super Bowl, the Masters Tournament, and the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament Final Four. Nantz's career spans television, radio, and major sporting institutions, and he is recognized for signature calls and a recognizable broadcasting style.

Early life and education

Nantz was born in Charlotte, North Carolina and raised in the Hamden area before attending The Haverford School preparatory school and later enrolling at Wake Forest University. At Wake Forest he played on the Wake Forest Demon Deacons men's basketball team and studied broadcasting, connecting with student media outlets and intercollegiate athletics programs. During his college years he gained experience at campus-affiliated stations and established contacts that later linked him to regional networks such as WFMY-TV and national outlets including CBS Sports Network affiliates. His academic and athletic background at Wake Forest intersected with figures from Atlantic Coast Conference athletics and produced early mentorships with professionals from NBC Sports and ESPN who frequently recruited collegiate talent.

Broadcasting career

Nantz began his professional career in local television and radio markets before moving to national assignments with CBS Sports in the 1980s. Early roles included sideline reporting and play-by-play for NFL on CBS broadcasts, college football and college basketball coverage across the ACC and Big Ten Conference, and studio assignments that connected him to personalities from The NFL Today and CBS Sports Spectacular. Over decades he worked alongside analysts and commentators such as Tony Romo, Phil Simms, Trent Dilfer, Ken Venturi, and Verne Lundquist. His portfolio expanded to cover championship events for organizations including the National Collegiate Athletic Association, the Professional Golfers' Association of America, and the National Football League postseason. Nantz also contributed to production initiatives with networks like Turner Sports during joint broadcasts and collaborated with producers and directors associated with major televised sporting events, linking his voice to global audiences during Olympic and international exhibition telecasts.

Major assignments and signature calls

As the lead play-by-play voice, Nantz anchored broadcasts for the Masters Tournament, the U.S. Open (golf), and the PGA Championship, partnering with golf analysts such as Nick Faldo and David Feherty. In football, he handled marquee assignments for Super Bowl XLVII and other championship games, often teaming with former players and analysts from Pro Football Hall of Fame ranks. In college basketball, he was the primary announcer for the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament Final Four and the March Madness telecasts, delivering memorable lines during title-clinching moments. Nantz's signature calls—phrases associated with historic shots and game-deciding plays—have been broadcast alongside performances by athletes from teams like the Duke Blue Devils, the Kansas Jayhawks, and the UConn Huskies, as well as golfers such as Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, and Jordan Spieth. His work on cross-network collaborations placed him in multimedia roles with production teams from CBS Sports Network, Turner Sports, and cable partners during high-profile events like the NCAA Final Four and major golf championships.

Awards and honors

Nantz has received awards and recognition from institutions across sports media and broadcasting. Professional honors include accolades from the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association and nominations for Sports Emmy Awards for outstanding play-by-play and studio hosting. He has been inducted into halls and honored by organizations tied to collegiate athletics and golf, receiving distinctions that intersect with groups such as the PGA Tour and the NCAA. His contributions to sports broadcasting have been celebrated by regional bodies, sportswriting associations like the Associated Press Sports Editors, and national media institutions including The National Football Foundation.

Personal life

Nantz resides in the Houston area and has family ties to communities in Texas and North Carolina. He is married and has children, with family members active in educational and philanthropic circles connected to institutions like Wake Forest University and regional hospitals. Outside broadcasting, Nantz has maintained relationships with contemporaries in broadcasting and athletics, ranging from golf professionals on the PGA Tour to collegiate coaches from the Atlantic Coast Conference and Big 12 Conference. He has navigated public attention surrounding health challenges within his family while continuing professional responsibilities and media appearances.

Philanthropy and charitable work

Nantz founded and supports charitable initiatives focused on medical research and children's health, collaborating with hospitals and foundations such as regional children's hospitals and organizations linked to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital-type missions. He has hosted fundraising events and charity golf tournaments that draw amateurs and professionals from the PGA Tour, college athletics, and broadcast circles, benefiting foundations associated with spinal cord research and pediatric care. His philanthropic partnerships often involve university medical centers, national research organizations, and community-based nonprofits, and he has been recognized by beneficiary institutions for leadership and fundraising impact.

Category:American sportscasters Category:Wake Forest University alumni Category:People from Charlotte, North Carolina