Jim Nantz pledges $1 million to University of Houston through Nantz Leadership Society

In July, Houston announced the Nantz Leadership Society, named for Cougars alumnus Jim Nantz. This week, the legendary CBS broadcaster announced his efforts to further the initiative.

Nantz pledged a $1 million donation to the university over the next five years. He’s planning to give $200,000 each year, then “evaluate” what to do after that time.

Nantz shared the news during an event this week. He told the supporters in attendance he felt the need to step up as a leader considering the leadership society bears his name.

“My great thanks to everybody who’s been a part of this,” Nantz told the room. “If I’m going to be part of this leadership society, this is another way that I want to find a way to give. I’ve got to be part of this team, too, on this side of it. I’m pledging tonight, over the next five years, $1 million – $200,000 a year. I want people to feel the call. Feel the calling, feel it inside your heart.

“This is a part of you. You’re going to be proud. It’s never going to let you down. You’re a part of this university. That you were there to help see it and see it soar. So I’m in, $200 [thousand] a year for the next five years. We’ll evaluate where to go after that.”

Houston announced the Nantz Leadership Society in July. The university said the society will “directly impact the experience of Houston student-athletes and act as a driving force in the University’s pursuit of Big 12 Conference and national championships, with its members deeply committed to advancing the athletics department.”

More on Jim Nantz’s ‘passionate rooting interest’ for Houston

Jim Nantz got his broadcasting start at UH before embarking on a decorated career, doing play-by-play for the NCAA Tournament Final Four until his retirement in 2023. He still leads CBS’ coverage of the PGA Tour and is the voice of The Masters every year at Augusta National.

Since stepping away from the headset, Nantz still maintains a presence at NCAA Tournament games. This time, though, he gets to watch from the stands.

He attended Houston’s Elite Eight win over Tennessee this year in Indianapolis as the Cougars punched their ticket to the Final Four. Afterward, Nantz spoke with On3 about what it’s like being a fan rather than a broadcaster, and said he still has a strong passion for his alma mater.

“It’s harder being in the stands with such a deep, passionate rooting interest,” Nantz told On3 amid Sunday’s celebration. “It’s not just being in the stands. It’s being in the stands for a university that gave me my chance to live my dream, and a basketball program that was the vehicle for me to go into the business and be able to get the experience while I was a kid and be able to chase my dreams. It’s very personal. It’s special.”