In his mind, there’s still a long way to go before CBS television commentator Jim Nantz envisions himself saying “goodbye, friends” and retiring.
The 65-year-old Nantz, who will broadcast his 40th Masters next month, told the Scottish golf magazine Bunkered that he’d like to continue broadcasting through the playing of the 100th Masters in 2036.
“A lot of things have to happen for that to occur,” Nantz told Bunkered. “First off, my health would have to hold up. Secondly, CBS and Augusta National would have to want me to come back. But if all the stars aligned, right now, it feels like a pretty good exit point.
“April 14, 2036. That is my scheduled retirement date. It would be a perfect place to walk out.”
Nantz, who continues to be CBS’ top play-by-play announcer for NFL broadcasts, participated in his first Masters broadcast in 1986. He also is the network’s top voice for its PGA Tour telecasts.
He also coined the familiar Masters phrase “A tradition unlike any other” in 1986, which the Masters trademarked in 2014.
Nantz, however, said nothing is set in stone, even if he were to get to that target retirement date at the Masters in 2036.
“I know what’s going to happen,” Nantz told Bunkered. “I’m going to get to that year, and I’m going to say, ‘You know, maybe I could do this for a while longer.’
“We have broadcasters over here that have gone on well into their 80s, so that’s one of those ‘wait and sees,’ I guess.”
