James Davis

Coming Up

Broadcasting asks for timing, control, and a clean read under pressure. James Davis built that discipline early at Marlboro High School and the University of Houston, then put it to work first as an anchor and sportscaster at KHOU in Houston, Texas, and later as weekend sports anchor at KSL-TV in Salt Lake City, Utah (1982–1985). Those early assignments set the terms for the rest of his work: concise delivery, composure on air, and the ability to stay clear while the pace keeps moving. In studio and in the booth, Davis became a CBS utility player across the network’s biggest sports properties. He served as host at CBS Sports NCAA football studio show (1985–1988), then added play-by-play duties at NBA on CBS (1986–1989), NFL on CBS Radio (1987–1990), US Open (tennis) (1987–1995), NFL on CBS (1988–1993), and CBS Sports NCAA football (1989–1991). The range matters here: different games demand different rhythms, and Davis worked across them with the same measured cadence. College basketball became the longest running line in that resume, with Davis installed as lead play-by-play announcer at CBS Sports NCAA men’s basketball tournament (1990–2023). That role placed him inside one of the network’s most demanding annual assignments, where the job is less about decoration than about keeping the broadcast steady as the bracket tightens. He also worked as weekend daytime co-host at Winter Olympics (1992–1994), play-by-play announcer at College football (1994–1996), host at Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on CBS (1994–2001), host at The NFL Today (1998–2003), and primetime host at Olympic Winter Games (1998). Later, he returned to the football booth as lead play-by-play announcer at Thursday Night Football (2014–2017). Across the CBS calendar, Davis has stayed in the rooms where live television is built: studio, sideline, booth, and anchor desk. He serves as studio host of CBS Sports (college football and basketball coverage), on-course reporter of CBS Sports (PGA Tour golf), anchor of CBS Sports coverage of the Masters Tournament, and play-by-play announcer of NFL on CBS. The throughline is durability. For a network built on recurring seasons and marquee weekends, Davis became part of the fixed infrastructure.

Career - Studio host, CBS Sports (college football and basketball coverage) (1985–present) - On-course reporter, CBS Sports (PGA Tour golf) (1985–present) - Anchor, CBS Sports coverage of the Masters Tournament (1989–present) - Play-by-play announcer, NFL on CBS (2004–present) - Anchor and sportscaster, KHOU, Houston, Texas - Weekend sports anchor, KSL-TV, Salt Lake City, Utah (1982–1985) - Play-by-play announcer, NBA on CBS (1986–1989) - Play-by-play announcer, NFL on CBS Radio (1987–1990) - Play-by-play announcer, US Open (tennis) (1987–1995) - Host, CBS Sports NCAA football studio show (1985–1988) - Play-by-play announcer, CBS Sports NCAA football (1989–1991) - Lead play-by-play announcer, CBS Sports NCAA men's basketball tournament (1990–2023) Education: Marlboro High School; University of Houston

FAQ What is James Davis's current role? James Davis is Executive Chef. Where did James Davis train or study? James Davis trained at Marlboro High School and University of Houston.