Much ado about Nantz?
Good morning, all! It’s Friiiiiddddaaayyyy!!!!!
When Super Bowl LV kicks-off on CBS Sunday night, the dynamic broadcast team of Jim Nantz and Tony Romo will be calling the action. Nantz, 61, is one of the all-time great sportscasters, whether it’s describing a Super Bowl, the NCAA Final Four or The Masters. He is also about to cash in on a new contract, whether it is with CBS or ESPN.
Looking for any angle, while covering Super Bowl week during the pandemic, the media has been focusing on Nantz’ contract negotiations. In the wake of Romo’s contract last season, which was a reported five-year, $100-plus million, the industry talk has been Nantz wants a deal in the same ball park.
Now comes word, ESPN may be courting Nantz, although CBS is countering with a “not so fast” comment.
During an era, when networks, local TV and regional sports channels are reducing staff and salary, Nantz is in a position to command a sizeable contract. These days it’s nice to be Jim Nantz.
Mel and Red
Speaking of broadcasters, among the TV pioneers decades ago were Mel Allen and Red Barber. The two had already made their stellar reputations on radio, but when TV went mainstream, they were there to call the action on national telecasts. Allen, of course, was also the “Voice of the Yankees” and Barber the “Voice of the Dodgers,” before owner Walter O’Malley let him go at Brooklyn and the ol’ Redhead headed to the Yankees.
On Monday, Feb. 8 at 8 p.m. the MLB channel will have a new episode of “The Sounds of the Game.” It will feature the calls of Allen and Barber. In case I miss it, I have already set my DVR. As I have written on my other website, I have had the honor to interview Barber and bring Allen to my home town to be guest speaker at a banquet.
How about that!
Quite the golf weekend
For golf aficionados it is quite the weekend. The always popular Waste Management Open is underway in Scottsdale, featuring a field that includes Xander Schauffele, Jordan Spieth, Ricky Fowler, Brooks Koepka, Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy and many more. And if getting up at 3 a.m. is your thing, you can tune in to the Saudi International, featuring Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau, Tony Finau, Ian Poulter and other big names.
By the way, in the case of some of these big name players, they appear for big money paid by sponsors, making in the case of the U.S. golfers competing in the Middle East, well worth the trip.
Meet me in St. Louis
The happiest person in St. Louis these days just might be Mike Shildt? Who is Mike Shildt? The manager of the St. Louis Cardinals, whose club just acquired Nolan Arenado from the Colorado Rockies. He now has in the middle of his lineup Arenado and Paul Goldscmidt, not to mention with Arenado at third and Goldscmidt at first, he might have the best corner infield in baseball.
With that, I leave you with the video below, as Shildt relates how he and Arenado go way back.
As always, thank you for your support, enjoy the Super Bowl and have a great weekend.
SPORTSCASTER DAN