Is Bill Raftery Retiring? Legendary Broadcaster Unveils Plan Before 2026 Final Four

There aren’t many sportscasters as beloved as Bill Raftery. Fans have grown to love his infectious energy over the past four decades.

Raftery joined CBS Sports’ college basketball crew in 1993. He has worked with James Brown, Sean McDonough, Jim Nantz and Verne Lundquist among other notable broadcasters. On Saturday night, Raftery will call both Final Four games alongside Ian Eagle and Grant Hill. That trio has earned plenty of praise throughout March Madness due to their professionalism and undeniable chemistry.

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Will the 2026 Final Four be Raftery’s last ride in the broadcast booth? He appeared on the “Awful Announcing Podcast” to discuss the 2026 NCAA Tournament as well as his future as a broadcaster.

“I don’t think I’m any different from many, many years ago,” Raftery said. “I just feel very lucky that I’m still doing it. They at the top (CBS and Fox) feel okay with me doing it. When Verne (Lundquist) left, Verne felt it was time. He said to me, ‘You’ll know.’ And I said to him, ‘I think they may know before I know.'”

GLENDALE, ARIZONA – APRIL 08: CBS college basketball announcers Ian Eagle, Grant Hill, and Bill Raftery pose for a photo before the National Championship game between the Purdue Boilermakers and the Connecticut Huskies at State Farm Stadium on April 08, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)Mitchell Layton/Getty Images

(Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)

Raftery then said he’d be happy to call college basketball games for another decade if possible.

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“If they’re happy with me, I enjoy the heck out of it,” Raftery continued. “I’d probably be bored to death if I was sitting home. For now, hopefully, they’re happy and it will stay the same for another 10 years.”

Raftery’s legacy is undeniable.

Over the course of Raftery’s career, he has produced so many iconic phrases, including “Send it in big fella” and “Get the puppies organized!”

Of course, it wouldn’t be a great broadcast without Raftery…

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Publish date : 2026-04-04 03:00:00

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