Masters voice Jim Nantz turned down surprising CBS television job in 2004

Jim Nantz will anchor CBS' coverage of The Masters for the 40th consecutive year. His impressive streak was nearly cut short.

CBS offered Nantz the chance to anchor its signature morning show, CBS This Morning, in 2004. Nantz shared the story of his decision to reject the offer in an interview with Golf magazine that published Wednesday.

What is the most memorable Masters moment of Jim Nantz's storied career?

His final interview with Arnold Palmer in Butler Cabin in 2016.

Listen to Taylor Zarzour's entire conversation with Nantz, tomorrow morning at 8amET on The Starter: https://t.co/TAyYnUiQFu pic.twitter.com/fOZ7ZqJIXQ
— Masters Radio on SiriusXM (@SiriusXMPGATOUR) April 9, 2025

Nantz, 65, revealed the story for just the second time ever; the first time was while delivering a eulogy for Arnold Palmer in 2016.

Nantz said it had been a painstaking negotiation, and the job had promised to redefine Nantz’s career and schedule. “I couldn’t give up on the childhood dream,” Nantz said he told Palmer . “I just couldn’t.”

"You have my word right now, if McIlroy wins, I'm going to say something about 'Glory for Rory.'"

– DP gives Jim Nantz some ideas for calls to use for different potential winners at The Masters. pic.twitter.com/GejevJyTkS
— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) April 3, 2025

The Masters will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2036, which a story published last week by The Athletic circled as a possible retirement date for Nantz. Not necessarily, he told Golf Magazine.

“Look, I get why this is a story," he told James Colgan, "but I’m not counting down the days until the end of my childhood dream. I’m just not.”

Congrats to Nantz for being able to work his dream job for most of his years on the planet – and here's hoping for many more.

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