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CBS Announcer Jim Nantz Nearly Took A Surprising Job

Originally posted on The Spun | By Daniel Bates | Last updated Apr 8, 2025 3:41 PM ET

CBS' Jim Nantz is among the best to ever do it. And as he prepares to narrate his 40th Masters this week, the broadcasting legend reflected on the road he'd almost taken — which didn't have anything to do with sports at all.

In a lengthy feature written by Golf.com 's James Colgan, Nantz revealed that he was offered the "CBS This Morning" job in the middle of his career. But Jim ultimately decided not to take it, which came up in a conversation with his late friend Arnold Palmer:

It'd been a painstaking negotiation, and the job had promised to redefine Nantz's career and schedule, but Nantz found he couldn't accept.

"I couldn't give up on the childhood dream," Nantz said. "I just couldn't."

The decision was hard, but more than that, it was lonely. It was the first major life development that hadn't included Nantz's dad.

Palmer stopped him.

"You don't understand," Palmer told Nantz. "Your father helped you make that decision. You were listening to him."

Arnie stuck a finger in Nantz's chest.

"He was right there, in your heart, the whole time."

Nantz later referenced that same conversation during Palmer's funeral in 2016 in a full-circle moment.

It's hard to envision a sports world without Nantz in it. From golf, to the NFL, to NCAA hoops, Jim has lent his voice to countless unforgettable moments with all beginning with his iconic greeting: "Hello friends."

And while anchoring CBS' morning show would've also been a great gig, it's hard to imagine he would have the same legacy he does know in the eyes of the television-watching public.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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