Report: Jim Nantz to call last Final Four, be replaced by Ian Eagle

When college basketball sees its season end in Houston this April, it will be the last time Jim Nantz is behind the play-by-play microphone. According to Andrew Marchand of the New York Post, the 2023 NCAA Tournament will be Nantz’s last with CBS.

Spending more time with his family is the main reason Nantz will be stepping away from the college basketball world. He has children aged six and eight, with the legendary broadcaster saying he wants to be at home more often for them plus an older daughter.

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“It is time with two young children and an older daughter that I spend more time at home,” Nantz said via the New York Post. “Daddy needs to be home.”

Nantz will not completely step away from the broadcast as a whole though. Marchand is also reporting that Nantz will still run the trophy ceremony. Only difference? He will be in the stands as a fan with his children during the game instead of calling the game on CBS.

“I would like to sit in the stands for the great majority of the game with my kids,” Nantz said. “And tell them that their dad used to call this game. ‘Now, if you’ll excuse me for a few minutes, I’ve got to go down to the floor and give the trophy away.’ That will be a lot of fun.”

This move will only impact the Final Four. Nantz will continue his work in other sports, such as the NFL with Tony Romo and broadcasting The Masters.

Ian Eagle to replace Jim Nantz on Final Four call

CBS did not have to search far for a replacement. Ian Eagle will step in for Nantz, beginning with the 2024 Final Four. Eagle has been broadcasting college basketball’s biggest event for some time now as well, so the concept will not be foreign to him.

The move is one Nantz supports, he told Marchand. He even called Eagle “a great teammate” and is excited to see what the Final Four broadcast will look like moving forward.

“It’s his time,” Nantz said. “I will support him 1,000 percent. He doesn’t need my support. But I’m absolutely thrilled for him. He’s a great teammate. He’s been right in the middle of this NCAA Tournament for a long, long time.

“So he’s not dropping in from outside, I mean he’s going to be working an extra weekend. It happens to be the big one. And he is definitely capable and ready and will excel and he’ll take it to all new heights.”