Longtime and legendary CBS sports commentator Jim Nantz is reportedly seeking a massive raise for his next contract.
According to a report from Andrew Marchand of the New York Post, the 61-year-old Nantz wants "Tony Romo money" on his next contract. The latter has worked alongside Nantz since the 2017 season, and before the 2020 campaign, Romo signed a new 10-year deal worth a reported $180 million.
According to Marchand, Nantz is looking to top Romo's reported $17.5 million salary - noting that Nantz calls NFL games, PGA events and the NCAA Final Four for men's basketball.
Sources told Marchand that Nantz earns $6.5 million annually on his current deal, which expires next summer.
In comparison, Marchand noted that FOX Sports lead MLB and NFL play-by-play man Joe Buck earns $10.5 million annually at Fox. Mike Tirico of NBC Sports, who previously spent 10 seasons as the play-by-play man for ESPN's Monday Night Football program, is close to the $10.5 million mark, per Marchand.
Nantz joined CBS in 1985, and he has served as the lead NBC voice since the 2004 season, working alongside former NFL quarterback and Super Bowl champion Phil Simms.
Nantz calls the NFL's AFC Championship Game and the Masters PGA tournament on a yearly basis, as well as the Super Bowl every three years (CBS alternates with NBC and FOX).
The iconic commentator called Super Bowl XLI, Super Bowl XLIV, Super Bowl XLVII, Super Bowl 50 and Super Bowl LIII. Nantz and Romo will call Super Bowl LV in Tampa Bay, Florida on Feb. 7; the network made a trade with NBC - who will broadcast Super Bowl LVI instead.
Nantz was also involved in the broadcasts for the 1992, 1994 and 1998 Olympics. He was also the play-by-play man for CBS' Thursday Night Football program for four seasons from 2014 to 2017, before FOX took over the broadcasts beginning in 2018.
Only time will tell if CBS is willing to meet Nantz' reported desired price tag.