Ian Eagle has been with CBS since 1998, and according to Andrew Marchand of the New York Post, Eagle will remain with the Tiffany Network for many years to come. Marchand writes that Eagle has signed a long-term deal with the network that keeps him there for the foreseeable future. According to Marchand, CBS keeps Eagle as insurance in case things with NFL/PGA/NCAA Tournament lead announcer Jim Nantz go south.
We told you late last year that Nantz is seeking a raise on a par with Tony Romo. By signing Eagle, who calls multiple sports well (NFL, NBA, college basketball, tennis, golf), CBS can use him as a hedge in case Nantz walks. Eagle could step into the top spot on the NFL and partner with Romo rather easily. Should Nantz remain and decide to cut the NCAA Tournament from his schedule, Eagle can step in as the main play-by-play announcer.
Since 2014, Eagle has been the NFL on CBS’ “B” announcer, calling one postseason game per season either with Dan Fouts or Charles Davis. Next season, Eagle and Davis will call one NFL Wild Card game and one NFL Divisional playoff game.
Eagle is known for elevating his partners, and it’s no secret that his NBA partners like Bill Raftery, Mike Fratello, Jim Spanarkel, Richard Jefferson, and Sarah Kustok all have gone on to work nationally at various networks.
In addition to his work at CBS, Eagle is currently calling Thursday Night Football on Westwood One Radio, the NBA on TNT, and the Brooklyn Nets on YES. He also calls the French Open for Tennis Channel, and has been used by CBS to call the U.S. Open.
Eagle’s work remains popular with fans. He came in fourth in the 2020 NFL announcer rankings and topped our last NBA local announcer poll.
About Ken Fang
Ken has been covering the sports media in earnest at his own site, Fang's Bites since May 2007 and at Awful Announcing since March 2013.
He provides a unique perspective having been an award-winning radio news reporter in Providence and having worked in local television.
Fang celebrates the four Boston Red Sox World Championships in the 21st Century, but continues to be a long-suffering Cleveland Browns fan.