1 week Ago By Andrew Gamble
Legendary commentator Jim Nantz may no longer be the voice behind the NCAA Tournament, but his passion for March Madness endures, much to the detriment of his schedule for the upcoming Masters. The 65-year-old broadcaster is in his second year of not providing commentary for CBS's March Madness games, and he had aimed for a different travel plan before reaching Augusta National. One of the iconic voices of golf, Nantz has covered both the Masters and NCAA Tournament since 1986—originally jetting from the Final Four straight to Augusta.
While CBS airs the weekend rounds of the Masters on April 12 and 13, Nantz, who recently pondered his retirement timeline, also lends his talents to ESPN's early rounds on Thursday and Friday along with his CBS colleagues. Nantz, known as the warm, familiar voice of golf, has left an indelible mark on the prestigious championship, and his association with March Madness was equally memorable. Although he no longer works during the tournament, he can still revel in the excitement—as a fan this time.
During a Masters preview call with CBS, Nantz shared insights on Tuesday: "I was prepared for this to be a new approach to Augusta this year. The plan was to get there on Sunday before, then all of a sudden, my University of Houston basketball team went on a roll, and found its way to San Antonio - and I have to be there for that on Saturday. That has brought an abrupt change to the current itinerary.
Nantz's passion for March Madness is hitting fever pitch as his alma mater, Houston, gears up to face Duke in the Final Four on Saturday night. He quipped: "If we so happen to be fortunate enough to defeat Duke and play Monday night, I will be right back to my old schedule again." In a candid revelation to Bunkered last week, Nantz laid bare his potential plans for hanging up his microphone after calling the Masters for decades.
He mused: "First off, my health would have to hold up. Secondly, CBS and Augusta National would have to want me to come back. 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, the revered commentator has now injected a note of ambiguity into the speculation about his future.
Nantz clarified, without fully committing to the previous statement: "There was a lot said last week about a certain retirement date, I think it was called." He disentangled fact from hyperbole, saying: "I never made that proclamation or declaration. I've said it for decades that I would really like to one day be at Augusta for the hundredth playing of the Masters.
" With a storied history of covering every Final Four since 1991 for CBS, Nantz anticipates watching his top-ranked Houston take on both Duke and star player Cooper Flagg on the upcoming Saturday of April 5. Just days later, he'll witness the majestic swings at the Masters, commencing on April 10th through the 13th at the hallowed grounds of Augusta. This article originally appeared on Mirror US.
