After greater than three a long time because the voice of the Closing 4, Jim Nantz will name his final NCAA Males’s Match this March, after which Ian Eagle will succeed him because the lead play-by-player on CBS and Turner Sports activities’ protection of the match, The Publish has discovered.
Nantz, 63, picked 2023 for his ultimate run due to the placement of this yr’s Closing 4 and the community it will likely be on. CBS and TBS alternate years when it comes to airing the Closing 4.
The ’23 version might be on CBS and happen in Houston, which has particular significance for Nantz as he started his sportscasting profession there as a College of Houston undergrad.
“It's time with two younger youngsters and an older daughter that I spend extra time at house,” Nantz mentioned in a cellphone interview as he picked up his 6 and 8-year-old youngsters from college. “‘Daddy must be house.”
Nantz will proceed with Tony Romo on CBS’ lead NFL group and because the face of CBS’ golf protection, together with the Masters.
Houston might be his thirty second Closing 4 and Championship sport. He first started overlaying the match in 1986 as a play-by-player and a studio host. He changed Brent Musburger, let go after a contract dispute, for the 1991 Closing 4.
Nantz plans to return annually to deal with the trophy presentation.
“I want to sit within the stands for the good majority of the sport with my youngsters,” Nantz mentioned. “And inform them that their dad used to name this sport. ‘Now, in the event you’ll excuse me for a couple of minutes, I’ve received to go all the way down to the ground and provides the trophy away.’ That might be lots of enjoyable.”
Eagle, 53, has beforehand been just like the Dan Marino of play-by-players. Eagle could be the very best pure sportscaster within the enterprise, however he was with out a main championship.
“It’s his time,” Nantz mentioned. “I'll help him 1,000 %. He doesn’t want my help. However I’m completely thrilled for him. He’s a fantastic teammate. He’s been proper in the course of this NCAA Match for a protracted, very long time. So he’s not dropping in from outdoors, I imply he’s going to be working an additional weekend. It occurs to be the large one. And he's undoubtedly succesful and prepared and can excel and he’ll take it to all new heights.”
CBS Sports activities and Warner Bros. Discovery Sports activities (WBD) executives determined collectively to raise Eagle, who works for each networks. WBD Sports activities is the father or mother firm of Turner networks.
Moreover the NCAAs, Eagle additionally calls the NBA for Turner. He's on CBS’ No. 2 NFL group with Charles Davis. He's additionally the longtime TV voice of the Nets. He additionally calls NFL video games on Westwood One Radio.
Eagle works significantly effectively with Hill and Raftery. Eagle and Hill teamed collectively through the opening weekend two years in the past on the tourney. Eagle and Raftery had been the Nets’ native tandem for years.
CBS and WBD Sports activities simply signed Jay Wright, who might have a future sooner or later within the Closing 4 sales space. Wright will name video games this season, however is initially slated for the studio through the Closing 4.
Years in the past, Nantz made the transition from the studio to the sales space. He hosted the Closing 4 for 5 years earlier than changing Musburger for the ‘91 Closing 4.
“I’ve been very lucky,” Nantz mentioned. “I’m going to take Brent’s torch and move it on to Ian. I’ve had the best seat in the home and it’s time for another person to do it.”
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