Nantz in addition to calling NFL games with Romo also does the Final Four and The MastersGETTY IMAGES
CBS' Jim Nantz is "seeking to top" the $17.5M yearly salary the net's Tony Romo "received on a new contract signed right before the pandemic hit," according to sources cited by Andrew Marchand of the N.Y. POST. While Romo "just works the football season, Nantz calls the NFL, the Final Four and golf, including the Masters." CBS execs have "credited Nantz in being instrumental in Romo's success." Nantz "has been out front for CBS for three decades." Sources said that he currently makes $6.5M per year on a contract that "ends early next summer." Whatever Nantz "ends up making, he is in line for a raise." The "going rate for a lead network sports voice" is in the $10M range. Sources said that Joe Buck makes $10.5M at Fox and NBC's Mike Tirico is "near that number, as well." A breakup between Nantz and CBS "seems unthinkable, but a showdown seems certain" (N.Y. POST, 11/19).
UNDERSTANDABLE POSITION: SI.com's Jimmy Traina wrote fans "can't blame Nantz for wanting to get paid," as he is the "face of CBS Sports." He "works a lot and is at the top of his field when it comes to calling games and events." Nantz also "checks both the quality and quantity boxes for CBS," while he "represents the network well and is the consummate professional." It is "hard to imagine Nantz ever leaving CBS or CBS ever parting ways with Nantz," so it is likely a "new contract, with a hefty raise, will come." The bigger question is "whether it will get in the range Nantz wants" (SI.com, 11/18).
