ESPN Reportedly Making a Play for Jim Nantz

CBS legendary broadcaster Jim Nantz is one of the best in the business. No surprise that it’s being reported that ESPN is trying to lure him away from CBS. According to the report, ESPN is trying to fill the void left by Mike Tirico, who was clearly the Mothership’s best play by play announcer. With a potential Super bowl on the radar for ABC, they’re looking to land a big name for the big game.


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Via Front Office Sports:

If Nantz hits free agency this summer, ESPN is interested in possibly making him the face of its NFL and Masters golf coverage, said sources. With ESPN parent Walt Disney Co. poised to land one — if not two — NFL TV packages, Nantz could be on the mic as ABC/ESPN broadcast future Super Bowls.

But a CBS Sports spokeswoman made clear the network wants to retain its longtime star. “We expect Jim to be at CBS Sports for many years to come,” she told FOS in a statement. ESPN declined to comment.

This Sunday, the 61-year-old Nantz is poised to call his second Super Bowl with Tony Romo and sixth overall.

As CBS’s top play-by-play announcer for the NFL, PGA Tour/Masters and NCAA basketball, Nantz has won three Emmys and been named National Sportscaster of the Year five times since joining the network in 1985.

This could easily be a planted leak. Nantz and CBS are currently in contract negotiations, so why not throw out another name to gain some leverage.

Would Nantz ever play ball with ESPN?

My guess is no way.  He loves doing the Masters too much.


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