When the Masters begins each April, one voice signals golf’s most sacred week: Jim Nantz, with his trademark “Hello, friends” opening. For four decades, Nantz has been the sound of America’s biggest sporting moments — from the Masters to the Super Bowl to March Madness. His net worth reflects an extraordinary career at the pinnacle of sports broadcasting.
Walk Through the Article
Jim Nantz Quick Facts
| Full Name | James William Nantz III |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | May 17, 1959 |
| Age | 67 years old (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Charlotte, North Carolina, USA |
| Height | 5’10” (178 cm) |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | CBS Sports Anchor & Play-by-Play Broadcaster |
| Net Worth | $18 Million (2026 estimate) |
| Spouse | Courtney Richards Nantz (m. 2012) |
| Known For | Masters “Hello, friends”, Super Bowl, NCAA Final Four, CBS Sports |
Early Life and Education
Jim Nantz was born on May 17, 1959, in Charlotte, North Carolina. His family moved frequently during his childhood — his father was a corporate executive — and Nantz developed a love of golf and broadcasting from an early age. He has often recalled listening to golf broadcasts on the radio as a child, imagining himself in the announcer’s chair.
Nantz attended the University of Houston on a golf scholarship, where he was a teammate and close friend of future PGA Tour player Fred Couples. It was a friendship that would last a lifetime — and one Nantz has referenced repeatedly during his Masters broadcasts, given Couples’ special relationship with Augusta National. At Houston, Nantz studied broadcasting and interned at local television stations, sharpening the skills that would define his career.
After graduating in 1981, he joined CBS affiliate KHOU-TV in Houston before earning his shot at the network level. By 1985, he was working for CBS Sports — beginning a relationship that would span more than four decades and make him one of the highest-paid sports broadcasters in history.
Career Timeline: Four Decades at CBS
1985–1999: Building the Reputation
Nantz joined CBS Sports in 1985, initially covering college football and basketball. He quickly established himself as a reliable, polished presence with exceptional storytelling instincts. By the late 1980s, he was calling Final Four games and developing the warm, resonant style that would make him one of the most recognisable voices in the sport.
1986: The Masters Debut
Nantz made his Masters broadcasting debut in 1986 — the same year Jack Nicklaus won his sixth Masters title at age 46 in what many consider the greatest comeback in tournament history. While Nantz was not the lead voice that year, the experience shaped his approach to Augusta National. His reverence for the tournament and its traditions became a defining characteristic of his broadcasting style.
2000s: Becoming America’s Sports Voice
By the 2000s, Nantz had become indispensable to CBS Sports. He called his first Super Bowl (Super Bowl XXXVIII in 2004), the Masters regularly, and the NCAA Tournament’s Final Four, making him one of the very few broadcasters in history to anchor all three events at the highest level. The phrase “Hello, friends” — his signature Masters greeting — became embedded in the fabric of American sports culture.
2010s–2020s: Contract Extensions and Legacy Building
Nantz signed several lucrative multi-year contract extensions with CBS during this period. Reports indicated his salary reached approximately $6 million per year at peak, making him one of the top-earning sports broadcasters in the United States. He continued calling all three of his signature properties — golf, football, and basketball — while mentoring younger broadcasters within the network.
Jim Nantz Net Worth and Income Sources
| Income Source | Estimated Amount | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| CBS Sports Salary | $5–6M/year | Annual (personal) | One of the highest-paid sports broadcasters; long-term CBS contract |
| Endorsements | $200–400K/year | Annual (personal) | Golf equipment, luxury brands aligned with his Masters/golf persona |
| Book Royalties | Modest | Annual | Author of “Always By My Side” (2008), a memoir about his father’s Alzheimer’s journey |
| Speaking Engagements | $100–200K/year | Annual (personal) | Corporate speaking appearances at golf events and business conferences |
| Estimated Total Net Worth | $18 Million (2026) | ||
Net Worth Over Time
Nantz’s wealth has grown steadily throughout his career rather than through any single windfall. His net worth was estimated in the $5–8M range by the early 2000s, growing to the $15–20M range as his CBS contract escalated through the 2010s. Unlike some broadcasters who have leveraged their platform into entrepreneurial ventures, Nantz has remained primarily a salaried broadcaster — meaning his net worth reflects decades of high-end network salaries rather than equity stakes in businesses.
Personal Life and Family
Nantz’s first marriage was to Ann-Lorraine “Lorrie” Carlsen in 1983. They divorced in 2009 after 26 years of marriage and have one daughter, Caroline. In 2012, he married Courtney Richards, a jewelry designer, with whom he has two children. His memoir “Always By My Side” (2008) is a deeply personal account of his father Jim Nantz Jr.’s battle with Alzheimer’s disease — the book drew widespread praise and helped raise awareness about the condition. Nantz has been involved in Alzheimer’s fundraising and research advocacy for many years.
Awards and Recognition
Nantz has won multiple Sports Emmy Awards across his career. He was named to the Golf Digest list of most influential people in golf multiple times, and Sports Illustrated named him among the most influential voices in sports broadcasting. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2019, one of the rare sports broadcasters to achieve that recognition.
Little-Known Facts About Jim Nantz
- He and Fred Couples, his college roommate at University of Houston, made a pact as students that one day Nantz would call Couples winning the Masters — which he did in 1992.
- The phrase “Hello, friends” has become so associated with Nantz that it was the title of his autobiography, and Augusta National uses it in official Masters promotional materials.
- Nantz is an accomplished golfer himself, reportedly playing to a low single-digit handicap.
- He has called more Masters tournaments than any other broadcaster in the modern era.
- His Hollywood Walk of Fame star was received in the same ceremony as several entertainment figures — a rare crossover recognition for a sports broadcaster.
Watch: Jim Nantz’s Most Memorable Calls
From Tiger Woods’ chip-in at the 2005 Masters to Phil Mickelson’s emotional embrace — the most memorable moments in Jim Nantz’s broadcasting career:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKifXzwBaQI]
Frequently Asked Questions About Jim Nantz
What is Jim Nantz’s net worth in 2026?
Jim Nantz’s net worth is estimated at approximately $18 million in 2026. His wealth comes primarily from four decades as a CBS Sports anchor at a salary reported to be in the $5–6 million per year range at peak, supplemented by endorsement deals, speaking engagements, and book royalties from his 2008 memoir.
What is Jim Nantz’s salary at CBS?
Jim Nantz’s CBS Sports salary has been reported at approximately $5–6 million per year in recent contract periods, making him one of the highest-paid sports broadcasters in American television. He covers the Masters, Super Bowl, and NCAA Tournament Final Four — three of the most-watched annual sporting events on American television.
What is Jim Nantz’s famous catchphrase?
“Hello, friends” is Jim Nantz’s signature greeting, used at the opening of Masters Tournament broadcasts. The phrase has become so iconic that it defines the start of Augusta week for millions of golf fans. He first began using the greeting during his early Masters broadcasts and it has become permanently associated with him and the tournament.
Who was Jim Nantz’s college roommate?
Jim Nantz roomed with PGA Tour star Fred Couples at the University of Houston in the early 1980s. The two have remained lifelong friends. Nantz famously called Couples winning the 1992 Masters — fulfilling a pact they had reportedly made as college students that Nantz would one day make that call.
What did Jim Nantz write a book about?
“Always By My Side,” published in 2008, is Jim Nantz’s memoir about his father’s battle with Alzheimer’s disease. The book received widespread critical acclaim for its emotional honesty and helped raise awareness about the condition. Nantz has been a vocal advocate for Alzheimer’s research and fundraising throughout his career as a result.
