Jim Nantz stands as one of the highest-paid and most recognizable play-by-play announcers in US sports broadcasting. Analyzing his compensation relative to peers requires considering contractual reports and industry positioning.
Jim Nantz: Reported Salary & Estimated Net Worth
Sources indicate Jim Nantz earns an estimated $10 million to $12.5 million annually from CBS Sports. This compensation package covers his lead roles covering the NFL (primarily Sundays alongside Tony Romo), NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament (March Madness), and the Masters Tournament.
His estimated net worth is typically cited in the range of $15 million to $20 million. This figure accumulates from decades at CBS, high-profile endorsements (like Rolex and AT&T), and other business ventures.
Comparison to Leading Sports Announcer Peers
- Troy Aikman & Joe Buck (ESPN): Representing the current peak, their combined NFL "Monday Night Football" deal reportedly averages $15-18 million per year each. Buck also handles MLB playoffs. Their net worth estimates are comparable to or slightly exceed Nantz's ($15M - $20M range per published reports).
- Al Michaels: A legendary peer, Michaels reportedly earned around $5 million annually near the end of his long NBC tenure. His move to Amazon/NFL "Thursday Night Football" likely increased this significantly (exact figures not fully confirmed, but widely assumed to place him in the top tier). His estimated net worth is also substantial ($10M+ range).
- Mike Tirico (NBC): As lead primetime Olympics host and Sunday Night Football play-by-play, Tirico is firmly in the top earning tier. Estimates suggest he earns well over $7 million annually, potentially approaching Nantz's level.
- Kevin Harlan (CBS): A highly respected lead #2 voice at CBS for NFL and March Madness, Harlan's salary is considerably less than Nantz's, likely in the $2-5 million range annually. His net worth is correspondingly lower.
Key Considerations & Nantz's Position
- Exclusivity & Roles: Nantz's unique position covering the NFL, Masters (golf's major), and NCAA Basketball's crown jewel (March Madness) gives him exceptional year-round visibility and leverage compared to announcers primarily tied to one sport.
- Lead Play-by-Play Premium: Top-tier lead NFL and big event play-by-play voices command the highest salaries. While top analysts (like Romo, Aikman) can now command equivalent or higher pay, Nantz's play-by-play salary places him firmly among the very elite earners in his specific role.
- Tony Romo (CBS Analyst): Romo's record-setting CBS deal ($17-18M/year) established a new benchmark for top analysts, surpassing his play-by-play partner Nantz in annual salary. This highlights the market shift for premium analyst talent.
Nantz consistently ranks among the top 3-5 highest-paid play-by-play announcers. While some peers (Buck, Aikman, likely Michaels) now command higher reported annual salaries due to recent mega-deals focused primarily on the NFL, Nantz's multi-sport prominence, legendary status anchoring The Masters, and CBS tenure keep his compensation exceptionally high and within the absolute top echelon.
