Jim Nantz: The Voice Of Sports And More

How Much Is Jim Nantz Worth?

Let’s talk about Jim Nantz, the iconic voice of sports broadcasting. Jim has built an incredible career over the years, and it shows in his impressive net worth of $40 million. Since joining CBS Sports back in 1985, Jim has become synonymous with some of the biggest sporting events on TV. Whether it’s covering the NFL, the NBA, NCAA Division I men's football and basketball, or even the PGA Tour, Jim’s presence is unmistakable. He’s been anchoring CBS's coverage of the Masters Tournament since 1989 and has been the lead play-by-play announcer for NFL coverage since 2004. That's a legacy right there.

Jim Nantz’s Salary and Contract Details

Now, let’s dive into the numbers. During his 2009 divorce proceedings, it was revealed that Jim’s annual income at the time was $7 million, with roughly $5 million coming directly from his CBS contract. But things got better for him. His CBS salary eventually increased to $6.5 million per year under a contract that lasted until the end of 2020. When co-broadcaster Tony Romo inked a 10-year, $180 million deal, which was the largest sports commentator contract at the time, Jim reportedly held out for something similar. And why not? He covers way more than just football.

In February 2021, fellow commentator Ian Eagle signed a long-term extension worth an estimated $80 million over 10 years. Not long after, Jim announced he had signed a new deal with CBS. While the exact figures haven’t been disclosed, considering what Tony Romo and others like Joe Buck and Mike Tirico are earning, Jim’s salary is almost certainly north of $10 million, possibly as high as $15 million. That’s some serious money for being the best at what you do!

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The Early Days: Growing Up and Education

Jim Nantz was born on May 17, 1959, in Charlotte, North Carolina, but his childhood was split between New Orleans, Louisiana, and Colts Neck and Marlboro Townships in New Jersey. As a high school student at Marlboro High School, Jim was already showing his athletic prowess by co-captaining both the basketball and golf teams. This early involvement in sports set the stage for his future career. He went on to attend the University of Houston, where he played on the Cougars men’s golf team and graduated in 1981 with a BA in radio and television broadcasting. Clearly, Jim was destined for greatness in front of the camera.

How It All Started: Jim’s Career Beginnings

Jim’s broadcasting journey began at KHOU, a Houston television station, where he worked as an anchor and sportscaster. From there, he moved to KSL-TV in Salt Lake City, where he served as a weekend sports anchor from 1982 to 1985. During this time, he called games for the Utah Jazz and BYU football. This experience honed his skills and prepared him for the next big step in his career.

Jim Nantz’s Journey at CBS Sports

Joining CBS Sports in 1985 was a game-changer for Jim. Initially, he worked as a studio host for college football and basketball coverage and served as an on-course reporter for the PGA Tour. His role quickly expanded, and from 1986 to 1989, he was the play-by-play announcer for NBA games. He also covered NFL games on CBS Radio from 1987 to 1990 and started calling the US Open in 1987. In 1989, Jim began anchoring CBS’s coverage of the Masters Tournament and became the lead play-by-play announcer for NCAA football. The following year, after Brent Musburger left, Jim took over as the lead play-by-play announcer for the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, a role he held until 2023.

In 1998, Jim became the host of CBS’s pre-game show, "The NFL Today," and served as the primetime host for the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano. After stepping down as host of "The NFL Today" in 2003, he transitioned into the role of lead play-by-play announcer for CBS’s NFL coverage, working alongside Phil Simms. In 2007, Jim called the play-by-play for Super Bowl XLI. He and Simms later began covering Thursday Night Football games in 2014. When Simms retired, Tony Romo stepped in as the new color commentator starting in 2017. Together, Jim and Romo called Super Bowls LIII, LV, and LVIII, cementing their place in sports broadcasting history.

Jim Nantz Beyond Sports: Cameos and Cameos

Jim’s talents extend beyond sports broadcasting. He’s made guest appearances on several TV shows, including "Arliss," "Criminal Minds," and "How I Met Your Mother." He even played the announcer for the fictional baseball team, the New York Empires, on the short-lived series "Clubhouse" from 2004 to 2005 and appeared in the Nickelodeon film "Fantasy Football." Jim has also made appearances on "The Price is Right" to present showcase prizes related to CBS Sports properties. On the commercial front, Jim has lent his voice to ads for Papa John’s Pizza and Capital One and provided commentary for video games such as "Jack Nicklaus 6: Golden Bear Challenge" and the "Madden NFL" series from 2012 to 2016.

A Side Hustle: Jim Nantz’s Winemaking Adventure

In 2009, Jim partnered with wine producer Peter Deutsch to launch a private wine label called The Calling. The first vintage was released in 2012. It’s always great to see someone with such a successful career branching out and exploring other passions.

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Behind the Scenes: Jim Nantz’s Personal Life

On the personal front, Jim married his first wife, Ann-Lorraine Carlsen, in 1983. They had a daughter named Caroline and lived in Westport, Connecticut. However, the couple divorced in 2009, with Jim ordered to pay $916,000 annually in child support and alimony. In 2012, Jim married Courtney Richards, and they had a daughter and a son before divorcing in 2023. In 2008, Jim published his first book, "Always By My Side: A Father’s Grace and a Sports Journey Unlike Any Other." The book shares personal stories about football, basketball, and golf, and reflects on the profound influence of his father, who passed away from Alzheimer’s disease the same year the book was released.