SMT Conference: CBS' Jim Nantz Sits For One-On-One Interview

Nantz Hopes To Have Opportunity  To Broadcast 50 Masters Tournaments

CBS Sports' Jim Nantz participated in a one-on-one interview during the first day of the 10th annual Fantasy Sports Associations Sports Media & Technology Conference in N.Y. Nantz said his career goal is "to be able to say that I broadcast 50 Masters." Nantz: "It is such an honor to call the NFL. I think that those Sundays are so exciting, watching the stadiums fill up. But The Masters was the event. That’s the one I watched with my father." He said, "God willing and CBS willing," he will broadcast his 50th Masters on April 8, 2035, at which point, he will retire from golf. When asked what he would like his legacy to be, Nantz said, “I just hope that people one day would think that I did my homework, that I gave a good, honest performance and was not trying to do something to draw a lot of attention to myself.” Meanwhile, with Tiger Woods sidelined due to injury, Nantz said marketers should keep an eye on Anthony Kim. Nantz said Kim is "loaded with talent and fearless," and added he "has the right mentality to be able to go in there and hang with Tiger a little bit.” Nantz said, “Sergio Garcia and Anthony Kim are the two young guys, who when Tiger gets back [from his injury], will make it the most interesting it’s been since Tiger began dominating the sport.”

RATINGS GAME: Nantz said that he keeps an eye on TV ratings but does not live by them. He said golf's ratings have been "trending down, including events in which Tiger competed the year before (he was hurt).” Nantz added, “Outside of the NFL, everything is coming down. The NFL is America’s sport. I know that’s sacrilegious to say, because baseball has been America’s pastime. ... The World Series had an overall rating that would not match (the CBS) 1 o’clock regional window on any given NFL Sunday.” Meanwhile, Nantz said of the betting line on NFL games, “We have an unwritten rule that that is never discussed (on the air). We never talk lines.”

PACKER BACKER: Nantz said his long-time college basketball partner Billy Packer, who parted ways with CBS this summer, deserves to be in the Basketball HOF. Nantz: "Dick Vitale went in the Hall of Fame this year. I’m happy for Dick. ... He’s a great promoter of college basketball, and I enjoy him and I admire his person. Billy should have been in there first, but I’m glad Dick got in. So, I have no ax to grind with Dick. He’s never called a single NCAA tournament game, much less a Final Four game. My man, Billy Packer, needs to be there.” Nantz said that he takes the blame for Packer’s omission, having failed to understand that “somebody has to nominate him. There’s a process. I blame myself for never having taken that step,” which he said he has since addressed.