Savor the “Hello, friends” moments now because this is almost it for Jim Nantz and March Madness.
The longtime CBS broadcaster is calling his final men’s NCAA tournament after an incredible run stretching more than three decades — though he still plans to continue covering the NFL and golf for the network.
Nantz’s final call will be Monday’s national championship game, and when it’s all over, he will have called 354 men’s tournament games, 64 Final Fours and 32 national title games, per the Associated Press.
So Saturday during the men’s Final Four matchup between No. 5 seed San Diego State and No. 9 seed Florida Atlantic, CBS celebrated Nantz’s many years, many calls and many “Hello, friends” greetings with a touching tribute video.
Behind every great sports moment, there’s a storyteller.
For decades, Jim Nantz has been the storyteller of the Men's Final Four. pic.twitter.com/8DPVx2WZki
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) April 1, 2023
And, of course, a standing ovation congratulating the broadcaster for his work.
A standing ovation for Jim Nantz at the Final Four 👏
Well deserved pic.twitter.com/CmyBWsFT9o
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) April 1, 2023
Well-deserved indeed.
