On Sports Media | All in all, Jim Nantz is glad Phila. didn't call

Jim Nantz will call his first Super Bowl tomorrow for CBS, a continuation of a successful career with the network that began in August 1985.

One wonders where Nantz's career would have taken him had he been offered a job in Philadelphia a month before being hired by CBS.

In late July 1985, Nantz was a hot broadcasting commodity, working in Utah as a sports anchor, the play-by-play announcer for Brigham Young football and basketball, and a color analyst for the NBA's Utah Jazz's television games.

Earlier that year, he had turned down an anchor job because he also wanted to continue doing play-by-play. Nantz also had offers from stations in Houston, Denver and Cincinnati, but none were for play-by-play, so he didn't make a move.

Then came his interview at Philadelphia's NBC affiliate, which at the time was KYW-TV, Channel 3.

At the time, KYW needed a second anchor to join Howard Eskin.

Eskin picked Nantz up from the airport and took him to his interview. Growing up in Colts Neck, in Monmouth County, N.J., Nantz was well aware of Channel 3 and the Philadelphia market.

"I remember listening to the Phillies on WCAU with Harry Kalas and Richie Ashburn," Nantz said before leaving for the Super Bowl. "I remember when I came for the interview, Howard Eskin was extremely supportive and wanted me to be the No. 2 anchor at Channel 3."

Apparently Channel 3 was less excited.

"They never made an offer and were dragging their feet," Nantz recalls. "Every place where I had an interview, by the time my visit was over, I had an offer, except from Philadelphia."

Shortly after, CBS called, and Nantz was hired as a college football studio host. Since then he has become CBS's No. 1 announcer on golf, the NCAA men's basketball tournament, and now the NFL.

For all the 47-year-old Nantz has accomplished in his broadcasting career, this will be his first Super Bowl as the play-by-play announcer.

"It's a big thing," Nantz said.

He said he can only hope the Super Bowl matches CBS's coverage of Indianapolis' 38-34 win over New England in the AFC title game.

"I was as proud of that AFC champion broadcast as anything I've been part of," Nantz said. "The whole production will go down as one of the best ever, and I can't wait to call the Super Bowl."

Nantz will be the first person to call the Masters, the NCAA Final Four, and the Super Bowl in the same year. Curt Gowdy and Dick Enberg have called Super Bowls and Final Fours in the same year.

Nantz said he was considering writing a book about his experiences over the next few months, beginning with the Super Bowl and ending with the Masters.

"It's a 63-day journey that nobody has had the chance to navigate," he said.

And who knows, if Nantz had been successful in securing a job offer from Philadelphia, his career could have taken a much different path.

"Had they made me an offer, who knows, I may have taken it and this may not happen," Nantz said. "I am so thankful that they dragged their feet."