Is Jim Nantz retiring? Legendary broadcaster breaks silence on future career plans

Despite popular rumors, one of the most famous commentators in sports history is not quite done yet.

Last night (US time), Jim Nantz called his last NCAA basketball game for CBS - the championship duel between the Connecticut Huskies and the San Diego State Aztecs, which the former won in a 76-59 rout.

He had previously indicated that he would be stepping back from collegiate coverage to be able to spend more time with his family - he has two children with his current wife Courtney.

Speaking about his time calling NCAA games, Nantz said:

"This has been such a big part of my life. It's always tough when you know you're not going to get to go through this again. ... I'm nostalgic but it's not a melancholy feeling right now. It's appreciation ... gratitude."

He also made sure to reflect on the numerous friendships he had made during his tenure:

"It's a celebration of people I had the great fortune of working with and the people I got to know on the road to the Final Four all these years. The players, the coaches, the NCAA committee members. It's a big world out there in college basketball and I have had a little bit to do with the voice and the documenting of some of its biggest moments."

But just in case anyone thought he was retiring from the booth completely, Nantz was blunt:

"I'm not retiring. I've still got about 40 weeks a year to cover the NFL, the Super Bowl and golf for another dozen years or so."

Jim Nantz will still be calling games with Tony Romo when 2023 rolls. He will also be calling this week's Masters golf major.

Beginning the next collegiate season, CBS will replace Nantz with Ian Eagle. Eagle is currently the network's no. 2 guy in the NFL booth, and also calls NBA games for YES and TNT.

How long has Jim Nantz been calling NFL games?

Jim Nantz first joined CBS in 1985 as a collegiate sports studio host and PGA on-course reporter. His first football gig came in 1988 when he became a commentator for Westwood One (at the time a subsidiary of CBS's radio division).

Over the years, he rose through the ranks to become the host of The NFL Today in 1998. After five seasons, he became the network's main play-by-play announcer and has since called six Super Bowls, the first four with Phil Simms and the last two with Tony Romo. Memorable highlights he has covered include Peyton Manning's (XLI) and Drew Brees' (XLIV) first Super Bowl wins, the blackout in XLVII, and Tom Brady's last Super Bowl win as a Patriot in LIII and his first outside New England in LV.

Besides his NFL and NCAA coverage, Nantz has been calling golf for CBS since 1986, a year after joining the network. This year will mark his first with 2008 Masters champion Trevor Immelman, who will replace multiple-time major winner Nick Faldo.