By now you’ve heard the news about Jim Nantz. He is stepping away from his role as the lead announcer for CBS’ Final Four coverage after the 2023 Tournament in Houston. Ian Eagle will be elevated to the position, starting with the 2024 NCAA Tournament.
Eagle is fully qualified to take over, in fact, he is as solid a number two as there is in network television. He’s been working on the #2 CBS broadcast of the NFL since 2014, when he was paired with Dan Fouts. Eagle now works with Charles Davis and the duo is primed and ready for a move up, should the need arrive.
With Nantz stepping away from the “Big Dance”, I’m sure CBS is pondering its future announce teams in the NFL and on the Masters coverage as well. Look, I am in no way pushing the uber talented Nantz out of any booth. In fact, I will really miss his calls on the Final Four telecasts in the future. But the reality is, the hierarchy at CBS needs to be ready to make a move at all times. No network wants to be caught with its pants down, so a natural succession plan is always in place.
With that being said, let’s just look into what could happen if Nantz were to move on from the NFL and the Masters. I truly believe that Nantz will not give up the Masters telecasts in the near future. As I wrote a couple of years ago in my “Anatomy of a Broadcaster” piece on Nantz, to me the golf is where Nantz really shines. His voice is soothing and relaxed. It’s measured in its pacing, matching the pictures and emotions on screen.
Just for giggles, who would CBS tab to replace the great Nantz in the tower at 18? Here are a few candidates that come to mind:
Andrew Catalon
He’s been on CBS’ PGA Coverage since 2011 since he appeared on the network’s Masters broadcast. He’s called “Featured Group” coverage at the Masters and the PGA Championship for about a decade now. A few years ago, 2019 to be exact, he filled in for Nantz in the 18th Tower at the 3M Open in Minnesota. He had to prepare and traveled to Connecticut that year to sit in with Nantz and Nick Faldo to see what the big chair felt like.
“It was an eye-opener for me. It was incredibly helpful. Everyone was so supportive in reaching out. I learned a lot this past Saturday.” he told the The Times Union.
“It was a big help for me to be up in Connecticut for that.”
Catalon is also familiar to viewers as a voice of the NFL and the NCAA Tournament.
Terry Gannon
Gannon started his career at ABC, calling college basketball and football. He also served as the voice of figure skating at the Tokyo Olympics. When ESPN/ABC merged, Gannon added golf to his resume.
In 2010, Gannon joined the broadcast team of the Golf Channel, which is owned by NBC. He serves as the #2 play-by-play announcer for the network’s coverage of the PGA and LPGA Tour. NBC has also used him as an Olympic voice, covering gymnastics, and also serving as a studio host.
Gannon is a very versatile voice in the sports world. I think his coverage of golf is, forgive the pun, on par with the best in the business. Gannon would be a great addition at CBS, not just for golf, but to give that network a lot of depth. He’s blocked at NBC by Dan Hicks, who is the lead guy for golf there.
These were the first two guys that came to my mind, that would not only be qualified for the gig, but would excel in the job. There are a few others that could be in consideration for this hypothetical job vacancy.
Steve Sands would be a good choice. He has plenty of experience as a host on the Golf Channel and as an interviewer for NBC’s coverage of the PGA Tour. A familiar face and voice to golf fans, he would also be a good fit.
How about Amanda Renner? In 2017 CBS hired her as a part-time golf reporter and a year later promoted her to a full-time reporter and added college football and NFL games to her duties. She seems very at ease and upbeat when interviewing golfers after their rounds. She would be a good choice too.
Fantasy world
Verne Lundquist. Wouldn’t it just be great to hear Uncle Verne on a golf telecast again?
Whoever would eventually step in would have big shoes to fill. Again, this is nothing imminent and thankfully so. But, like I said, I’m sure the network execs are making, or have already made lists of possible replacements. They have a job to do and that’s to make sure they get the right person in that booth.
I say now, we just enjoy the moments we have left with Nantz as the main voice of the Final Four. He is in a position to go out on his terms and spend more time with his family. He’s earned the right and more power to him.
Andy Masur is a columnist for BSM and works for WGN Radio as an anchor and play-by-play announcer. He also teaches broadcasting at the Illinois Media School. During his career he has called games for the Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres and Chicago White Sox. He can be found on Twitter @Andy_Masur1 or you can reach him by email at Andy@Andy-Masur.com.
