Jim Nantz’s ugly divorce trial reveals intimate details about CBS sportscaster

Jim Nantz’s ugly divorce trial last week in Bridgeport, Conn., revealed intimate details about CBS’ premier sportscaster, including the fact he has a 29-year-old girlfriend and earns almost $8 million a year from CBS.

Nantz, 50, is claiming his 26-year marriage is over because of his wife’s lack of support for his career and her excessive spending.

According to reports in newsblues.com and connpost.com, Nantz said he started dating the 29-year-old girlfriend only because his marriage had “died” more than 10 years ago. That, apparently, was news to his wife, Lorrie, who later testified she was still going to counseling until 2008, trying to save their marriage, when Nantz told her he wanted a divorce.

In 2007, according to Jim Nantz, he was offered $7 million to host the CBS “Early Show” but turned it down because his wife opposed it. He says his wife, who early on accompanied him to major sporting events, now stays at home and spends vast sums of money on shopping sprees.

According to connpost.com, Nantz testified that early in their marriage his wife would accompany him to all the major sporting events he worked. But after that ended, he complained she showed no support for his career.

“In 2004, I got the Man of the Year award from the New York Athletic Club. Rudy Giuliani had been the previous year’s winner and it really meant a lot to me,” he said. “My mother flew in from Houston, but Lorrie wasn’t there.”

In 2007, Nantz became the first TV broadcaster to host a Super Bowl, the NCAA men’s basketball championship and the Master’s golf tournament in the same year.

“It was the triple crown. People told me I should write down my remembrances of the events, it was that big, but Lorrie didn’t care,” he said.

Testimony concluded Friday afternoon. Superior Court Judge Howard Owens says he will file a written decision on who gets what and how much. But, he promised, “No one is leaving this courtroom with zero.”

Nantz is hoping to protect much of his earning of nearly $8 million a year. His wife wants alimony and child support for their 15-year-old daughter in excess of $1.5 million a year. She also wants to keep their six-bedroom, six-bath house in Westport, Conn.

According to court records, Nantz earns $3.9 million a year from CBS and another $4 million in deferred compensation.

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