Last week, news about Jim Nantz’s anticipated 11-year retirement generated significant interest. Awful Announcing reported that Nantz confirmed his retirement plan for The Masters, though this isn’t the first time he’s mentioned it. Since 2016, Nantz has expressed a desire to continue broadcasting until the 100th Masters in 2036, when he’ll be 76 years old. However, after a flurry of media coverage, Nantz was not particularly happy about how his remarks were interpreted.
“There was a lot said last week about a certain retirement date, I think it was called,” Nantz explained via Front Office Sports. “I never made that proclamation or declaration. I’ve said for decades that I would really like to one day be at Augusta for the hundredth playing of the Masters.” It was his best attempt to clarify his statements.
He added, “There was not an attempt there to try to put a timeline on it. I’ve always said it with a wink in my eye and a little whimsy that if all things worked out and everybody wanted me to continue to do it, I would like to be there in 2036. I never wanted to have any attention on me and my longevity at Augusta.” Despite his efforts, Dan Patrick couldn’t help but touch on the subject, playfully poking fun at the concept of an 11-year farewell tour.
“Stop, you know, listen,” Nantz said on The Dan Patrick Show. “I actually have it. We had this discussion on your show in 2016 … This thing just went viral last week for no good reason. It’s not the story. I just happened to say it in conversation. But when it gets spun like I am declaring or making an announcement, ‘This is my retirement,’ I would never want that attention. I would never do that.” He reiterated that he merely suggested, like he did in 2016, that in a perfect world, the 100th Masters would be his last show if circumstances allowed. “I don’t really think about it,” he reflected. “I’m focused on this show now. And maybe I don’t make it there. Maybe I go beyond it. I don’t want to start putting a countdown clock on it.”
While Patrick joked about needing to shop for a gift for Nantz, emphasizing the importance of avoiding a rocking chair, it’s clear there’s no retirement announcement here. Nantz has made it abundantly clear that he isn’t placing a retirement date on his calendar anytime soon and that discussions around it should be viewed with skepticism.
