For the first time in over 30 years, March Madness viewers won't get to hear "Hello, friends" during NCAA Tournament action.
The madness is about to begin, as 64 teams embark on the three-week journey to become college basketball national champions. This year's Final Four takes place in Arizona, with State Farm Stadium hosting the championship game on the second Monday in April.
Legendary CBS broadcaster Jim Nantz has been synonymous not just with the tournament, but the championship game. Starting in 1990, Nantz has been a member of the broadcast teams bringing the action to televisions all over the country, delivering numerous iconic calls.
However, fans of Nantz won't find him on any game in 2024. It is going to be a new play-by-play voice on CBS' top team this year, as Nantz will be watching the madness unfold as a fan rather than a broadcaster.
Here are more details on why Nantz is not calling March Madness in 2024.
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Where is Jim Nantz?
For the first time since 1989, Nantz will not be the lead broadcaster for CBS at the NCAA Tournament.
Last year, Nantz announced before the 2023 tournament that it would be his final time on the call for the infamous college basketball competition. He calls it a career after 354 tournament games, 64 semifinals and 32 championship games.
His absence does not mark a full retirement. Nantz remains as CBS' lead play-by-play announcer for NFL games and also is continuing to work tentpole events such as the Masters.
"I’ve loved it, and it has been so much fun," Nantz said to the Associated Press last year. "Something had to go, though. You’re never going to walk away from the NFL — it’s too big — and golf is deep in my heart. It’s been an amazing ride and a glorious part of my life."
A large part of why the 64-year-old broadcaster stepped away from the NCAA Tournament was due to his family. With the NFL and golf, he is on the road for 38 of the 52 weekends a year. Not calling any of the March Madness games allows him to spend more time with his children and take in the action as a fan.
"One of the great times of my life was sitting in the stands and getting to experience the excitement my children had watching the game, it brought me great joy," Nantz said in 2023. "I’m really looking forward to having that family time next year."
MORE: Reliving Jim Nantz's best calls at March Madness
Who is replacing Jim Nantz?
With no Jim Nantz this year, Ian Eagle gets the call-up to be on the top broadcast team.
Eagle joined CBS in 1998 as a play-by-play announcer for college basketball and the NFL. He's also been an announcer for the Brooklyn Nets since 1994.
The rest of the top CBS broadcast team remains the same as it was with Nantz. Bill Raftery, Nantz's partner since 2015, will be alongside Eagles as an analyst. The 80-year-old Raftery has been with CBS since 1983 and is, of course, famous for his "ONIONS!" call during broadcasts.
NBA Hall of Fame forward Grant Hill will also provide analysis, as he joined NCAA college basketball broadcasts in 2015. Tracy Wolfson, known for her role as the NFL on CBS sideline reporter, will shift from field level to courtside for March Madness.
