“What a thrill to be able to say that we witnessed an overtime Super Bowl game and what will go down in history as one of the greatest games of all time and the longest Super Bowl game of all time. That’s what I’m trying to process right now,” Nantz said after the Kansas City Chiefs 25-22 overtime victory over the San Francisco 49ers. “I’m thrilled for our team and thrilled for the sport. It was an unbelievably fitting finish to a remarkable football season.” Pictured: Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce with Jim Nance (George Walker IV/AP)
It is the third time the trio will call the big game together. The telecast will be produced by Jim Rikhoff and directed by Mike Arnold.
Jim Nantz has seen his share of magical moments and sendoffs during a career that has spanned nearly 40 years. He could get one of his own as he prepares to call his final NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. Not only is the Final Four in Nantz’s adopted hometown of Houston, but with the University of Houston as one of the top seeds, Nantz could get to call his alma mater playing for a national title. (Erin Hooley/AP).
Jim Nantz has been a part of the CBS coverage of the tournament since 1986. He was the studio host for five years before calling his first Final Four in 1991. The 63-year old Nantz will remain the lead voice of the network’s NFL coverage, along with leading its golf team. Successor Ian Eagle has been with CBS since 1998.
Keeping announcers separated until game day has been CBS’ protocol this season. With many of the ancillary events surrounding Super Bowl week either canceled or happening virtually — along with the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers remaining at their own complexes to practice — the week is nearly structured like their first meeting on Nov. 29. Tony Romo and Jim Nantz were inseparable when CBS broadcast the Super Bowl two years ago. Next week, they won’t see each other until they are in the broadcast booth a couple hours prior to kickoff.
For the last three decades, CBS’s Jim Nantz has been the voice in living rooms and restaurant bars and anywhere else fans were watching the two biggest sporting events on the Spring calendar — the Final Four and the Masters over a span of nine days. Now he’s home, like everyone else during the global pandemic of COVID-19. Above, Nantz with Phil Mickelson during an awards ceremony on the 18th green of the Pebble Beach Golf Links in 2019.
Exclusives
CBS was a huge beneficiary of Woods’ win. It was on the air for 10 hours on Sunday because the final round was moved up due to possible inclement weather. CBS started at 9 a.m. ET and had six hours of live coverage followed by a four-hour recap show.
