James William Nantz III (born May 17, 1959), known professionally as Jim Nantz, is an American sportscaster best known for a long association with CBS Sports. Across several decades he has served as the lead voice for marquee events in college basketball, professional football and golf, and has anchored network coverage for the Olympics and other major tournaments. Nantz is widely recognized for his calm delivery, polished interview work, and role as a familiar presence on national broadcasts.
Career and regular assignments
Nantz's career at CBS has encompassed a broad range of sports and responsibilities. He has held lead play‑by‑play assignments and studio hosting roles, regularly appearing on network telecasts for:
- College basketball — including the NCAA Division I tournament and Final Four;
- National Football League coverage on CBS as a lead play‑by‑play announcer and studio presence;
- Professional golf — notably as a principal announcer for CBS' coverage of major championships;
- Tennis, Olympic coverage, and various special events.
Throughout his tenure, Nantz has partnered with a variety of analysts and commentators. For college basketball he has worked alongside commentators such as Clark Kellogg, for NFL telecasts he has been paired with analysts including Phil Simms, and in golf he has worked with leading figures in the game during major championships and weekend coverage.
Broadcasting style and notable assignments
Nantz is noted for a conversational, measured style that places emphasis on storytelling and context. He has called many high‑profile moments in American sports — national championship games in college basketball, weekend rounds and final pairings at major golf tournaments, and important NFL matchups. Producers and peers often cite his ability to conduct postgame interviews and to balance play description with biographical or historical perspective.
Awards and recognition
His peers and professional organizations have recognized Nantz's contributions to sports broadcasting. He has received the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association (NSSA) National Sportscaster of the Year award multiple times (1998, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009). In 2011 he was named a recipient of the Pete Rozelle Radio‑Television Award by the Pro Football Hall of Fame, acknowledging a distinguished career in pro football broadcasting; additional honors and industry recognition have followed his work over many seasons. For more on the award, see the Pro Football Hall of Fame information here.
Background and influence
Before rising to national prominence, Nantz gained experience in local television and radio, building the broadcasting skills that would define his network work. Over decades on the air he has become one of the most recognizable voices in American sports media. Beyond live broadcasts, his name has been associated with charitable activities and community engagement, as is common for public figures with sustained national visibility. Nantz's career illustrates the role of a lead play‑by‑play announcer in shaping the viewing experience of major sporting events and in helping to transmit memorable athletic moments to a wide audience.