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Jim Nantz retracts Masters retirement statement after misunderstanding

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sean Treppedi | Last updated Apr 2, 2025 8:47 PM ET

Jim Nantz has been synonymous with the Masters since he first worked on the CBS broadcast for golf's greatest tradition.

The same can be said for CBS' coverage of March Madness, which Nantz began covering that same year for the network. He stepped away from college hoops in 2023, and speculation of his official retirement from hosting the Masters has swirled lately.

Last week, in an interview with "Bunkered," Nantz remarked that he was targeting 2036, which would be his 51st and the tournament's 100th, as his final Masters. Nantz said, "It would be a perfect place to walk out."

But according to Nantz, that statement was taken out of context.

“There was a lot said last week about a certain retirement date, I think it was called,” Nantz said during CBS's Masters preview call on Tuesday. “I never made that proclamation or declaration. I’ve said it for decades that I would really like to one day be able to be at Augusta for the hundredth playing of the Masters.”

Nantz clarified that those comments were more abstract than they came off.

“There was not an attempt there to try to put a timeline on it,” he said. “I’ve always said it with a wink in my eye, and a little whimsy, that if all things worked out and everybody wanted me to continue to do it, I would like to be there in 2036. I never wanted to have any attention on me and my longevity at Augusta.”

The five-time National Sportscaster of the Year winner made it clear he plans to work the Masters for as long as he is able to.

“It is an honor beyond words,” he said. “And we’ll see what the good Lord has as far as plans for me — maybe it’s 2036, maybe it’s beyond, maybe it’s earlier than that. I don’t know. I’m locked in on one thing: this edition of the Master’s. And next year, God willing, if I’m there again, I’m gonna be completely in the moment.”

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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