Though Jim Nantz stepped down last year as the lead NCAA Tournament announcer for CBS Sports, he remains committed to calling The Masters for years to come. Nantz has been the voice of every Masters since 1986, which coincided with Jack Nicklaus’ legendary sixth and final green jacket victory. He started hosting the tournament soon after and has become synonymous with Augusta.
For a considerable time, Nantz has openly discussed his retirement plans from the 18th tower and Butler Cabin during the most prestigious golf tournament globally. In an interview with Bunkered, he mentioned that he is eyeing the 2036 Masters as his final broadcast, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of his debut at Augusta and the tournament’s 100th edition. Nevertheless, he hinted at the possibility of extending his broadcasting career beyond that date if circumstances allow.
“But if all the stars aligned, right now, it feels like a pretty good exit point. April 14, 2036. That is my scheduled retirement date. It would be a perfect place to walk out.”
However, Nantz – born just a two-and-a-half hour drive from Augusta in Charlotte – added a caveat: “I know what’s going to happen. I’m going to get to that year, and I’m going to say, ‘You know, maybe I could do this for a while longer.’ We have broadcasters over here that have gone on well into their 80s, so that’s one of those ‘wait and sees’, I guess.”
As one of the defining voices of modern sports, Jim Nantz’s affection for The Masters is well-documented. Following his departure from college basketball this year, he continues to cover the NFL and PGA Tour as part of his CBS Sports portfolio. Looking ahead, CBS is set to broadcast Super Bowls in 2028 and 2032; at 72 for the latter Super Bowl and 76 for the 2036 Masters, Nantz might choose to transition away from the NFL and focus on the PGA Tour in his final years leading up to that iconic tournament.
However, as he acknowledges, the future remains uncertain. Who could have predicted Al Michaels would still be broadcasting a weekly NFL package in 2025, especially for Amazon? The Masters operates on a year-to-year deal with CBS, making it possible that a major offer, like one from Apple in 2037 for global rights, could entice Nantz to continue his journey with the tournament.
