Kevin Kisner’s passionate frustration with CBS’ Masters coverage may have resonated with fans — but his brutally honest critique did not sit well with those in his golf broadcasting orbit. Now, the NBC analyst is apologizing.
Kisner, who serves as the lead golf voice for NBC Sports, unleashed a lengthy rant on Barstool Sports’ “ForePlay” podcast while serving as a co-host, taking aim at CBS for significant delays between live action and when shots were shown on the broadcast.
“Do y’all ever show a live shot?” Kisner said during the initial rant. “I’m better off following the f–king app than your feed. So your entire Masters coverage is a fantasy world, it’s bulls–t. Whatever y’all watch happened seven minutes ago.”
He estimated the delay was as much as 10 minutes at times during Sunday’s final round at Augusta National, where Rory McIlroy claimed his second straight green jacket.
The Apology: ‘I Crossed the Line’
After his comments went viral — and reportedly drew backlash from CBS and within the golf broadcasting community — Kisner issued a public apology.
“It’s been an interesting few days but it is what it is and I just have to apologize for the golf team at CBS,” Kisner said. “I crossed the line probably too much by talking about the content and I know from my short time in the business how wild production is.”
He acknowledged the difficulty of producing live television:
“It’s very difficult to produce a live show and make it all work and everybody does their best. NBC screws up all the time and we are just trying to do my best. I went too far on being critical on them and just want all the people associated with it to know I apologize. They are our partners with the PGA Tour and they continue to showcase in a great way the game we all love.”
What Kisner Said: The Original Rant
Kisner, who was working for Sirius/XM at Augusta during Masters week, did not hold back. His full critique included:
| Complaint | Detail |
|---|---|
| Delayed broadcasts | Estimated 7-10 minute delay between live action and CBS airing shots |
| “Fantasy world” | Said viewers were not watching live golf |
| App comparison | Claimed following the Masters app was more accurate than CBS’s feed |
| Text exchange | Revealed he texted CBS analyst Colt Knost questioning the network’s decisions |
“He might soon find out that this golf television thing is a tight syndicate and this is not how this game is traditionally played and won,” former CBS Sports PR boss LeslieAnne Wade tweeted about Kisner’s initial comments.
CBS’s Masters Coverage: What Went Wrong?
Kisner’s critique highlighted a recurring issue in golf broadcasting: the tension between live action and the need to produce a polished narrative. CBS faced specific challenges during the 2026 Masters:
- Multiple featured groups: CBS had to balance coverage of McIlroy’s final round with other contenders
- Commercial obligations: Network commercials caused viewers to miss live action
- Technical delays: A slight tape delay is standard, but Kisner’s claim of 7-10 minutes is unusually high
CBS broadcaster Jim Nantz himself later admitted the network “bungled” aspects of its Masters coverage, though he did not address Kisner’s specific criticisms directly.
The Golf Broadcasting ‘Syndicate’
Kisner’s comments exposed an uncomfortable truth about golf broadcasting: the major networks — CBS, NBC, and ESPN — are all partners with the PGA Tour. Openly criticizing a competitor can create tension, especially when those same people work together at other events.
The “tight syndicate” comment from Wade reflects an unspoken rule in sports broadcasting: you don’t publicly eviscerate the competition, even when they deserve it.
Kisner acknowledged this dynamic in his apology:
“I feel like I am wearing so many hats… I am going to screw up. I probably shouldn’t have gone down that road at all. I could have just stepped out and said, ‘I was involved in the tournament, I don’t really need to have an opinion on it.’ Then we sit here all the time and I do have an opinion and I want to tell my opinions, so it’s an interesting line to walk.”
The Turkey Hunt Excuse
Kisner revealed that he was on a turkey hunt without cell service when his comments blew up on Tuesday:
“I came out of the woods and was like, ‘Oh, my phone was blowing up. What’s going on?'”
The 41-year-old four-time PGA Tour winner has been balancing multiple roles: NBC analyst, “ForePlay” podcast co-host, and part-time player. He acknowledged that the pressure of wearing multiple hats contributed to his unfiltered rant.
“I am sure we’re going to have people coming after us once I get on the NBC show now. I can handle it, it’s all good. I am not trying to hurt somebody when I have that opinion, that’s the craziest thing in the world. I was just frustrated as others and let it all come out. Pissed some people off, apologized to them and won’t do it again.”
Industry Reaction
The golf broadcasting world has been largely silent on the record, but off the record, reactions have been mixed:
- Some agree with Kisner: Many fans and even some media members share his frustration with broadcast delays
- Others say he crossed a line: Publicly attacking a network partner is bad form, especially for someone new to the broadcasting side
- CBS has not commented officially: The network has not released a statement addressing Kisner’s critique
NBC has not disciplined Kisner, and he is expected to remain in his role as lead golf analyst.
What Happens Next
- Kisner returns to NBC: He will be back in the booth for NBC’s next golf broadcast
- CBS-NBC relations: The incident may create temporary tension, but both networks work together on PGA Tour productions
- Masters 2027: CBS will continue to broadcast the Masters through at least 2030 under its existing contract
FAQ: Kevin Kisner CBS Masters Controversy
Q: What did Kevin Kisner say about CBS?
A: He said CBS’s Masters coverage had 7-10 minute delays, called it “a fantasy world” and “bulls–t,” and said viewers would be better off following the Masters app.
Q: Did he apologize?
A: Yes. He said he “crossed the line” and apologized to CBS’s golf team.
Q: Was he wrong about the delays?
A: There were documented delays during CBS’s broadcast. Whether they were as long as 7-10 minutes is disputed.
Q: Does Kisner work for NBC?
A: Yes. He is the lead golf voice for NBC Sports.
Q: Will he be punished?
A: NBC has not announced any disciplinary action. He is expected to remain in his role.
Q: Did CBS respond?
A: CBS has not issued an official statement. Jim Nantz admitted the network “bungled” aspects of the coverage.
