Color commentator Jim Nantz has been a recognizable voice in the sports world for many years because of his work with the NFL, men’s college basketball and golf.
With his involvement with the Masters Tournament, Nantz has been the voice for some of the tournament’s most notable moments, having called the event for the first time since 1986. His voice has become synonymous with the event.
He’s currently on the call at Augusta National, spending his 40th Sunday in the booth as Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau battle it out as the final group.
When will Jim Nantz retire?
Jim Nantz’s 40th year on the call for the Masters ties former CBS broadcaster Verne Lundquist. Lundquist called his 40th and final Masters Tournament last year.
In Nantz’s early years, he worked with the hope of being asked back to work the Masters the following year.
Now, just one year after Lundquist’s retirement, Nantz continues to find himself answering questions about whether it may be his final year on the call.
“My assistant Melissa found articles 10 years ago from many, many places, the ‘Dan Patrick Show,’ Golf Digest, Richard Deitsch when he was writing for The New York Times,” Nantz told PGATour.com about the ongoing coverage over the years of his retirement.
Nantz recalled when the buzz of his potential retirement started again when he did an interview with a UK writer after an NFL playoff game in January.
“We talked about my love of the Masters,” Nantz told PGATour.com. “And in there somewhere I talked about, just conversationally, that yeah, ‘I love being a part of it. Yes, this is my 40th. I would love one day to say I’m there for the 100th playing in the Masters,’ just casually mentioning like I always have. The writer did a great job with the story, but when somebody gets that information and then spins it like, no, that’s actually journalistically really taking some liberties and it was inaccurate.”
He remains adamant about not having a set date for his departure and is just taking it “one year at a time.”
Nantz stepped away from broadcasting the NCAA Tournament after the 2023 season to focus on family and other broadcasting commitments. He called 18 Final Fours and broadcast 354 games.
Nantz was in attendance for March Madness this year, but as a fan. He saw his alma mater, Houston, compete in the Final Four against Duke and fall short in the national championship game against Florida.