As this year’s March Madness tips off, longtime CBS broadcaster Jim Nantz will be calling his last NCAA tournament.
There will only be so many more “Hello, friends!” for March Madness watchers, as Nantz has confirmed to AP this week that he’s stepping away from the tournament after 32 years.
For Nantz, it’s a special way to close things out with his alma mater, No. 1 Houston, pushing for a title. This year’s Final Four will also take place at NRG Stadium in Houston.
It could all come full circle for the longtime broadcaster.
“I wanted it to be a CBS year, but especially I wanted Houston to be my last dance for me and to exit college basketball stage right,” Nantz told AP. “It was truly through the basketball program — being the student public address announcer and while still a student later being entrusted to host the Guy Lewis television show, that was my entryway into television. I was just a kid living in the dorms. With a chance to possibly call my last basketball game with Houston playing for a championship, that would be amazing.”
After 32 years Jim Nantz will call his last @MarchMadnessMBB for @CBSSports. Emotions will be high, but the consummate professional will always shine. #marchmaddness pic.twitter.com/syqAAxkP28
— Chris Breece (@ChrisBreece) March 15, 2023
Nantz says he still plans to work for CBS doing the NFL and professional golf coverage, but this will be his very last ride for March’s biggest sports spectacle.