Tony Romo and CBS Agree to Part Ways After Nine Years

CBS Sports and Tony Romo agreed to terminate a nine-year broadcasting partnership following Romo’s July arrest in Wisconsin for operating a vehicle while intoxicated and a buyout of his remaining contract, clearing the way for J.J. Watt to take over the top NFL booth.

Tony Romo’s tenure as the lead NFL game analyst for CBS Sports has officially come to an end, concluding a nine-year run that began immediately after his retirement from the Dallas Cowboys in 2017. The network announced Friday that both sides mutually agreed to part ways. The announcement follows more than two months of uncertainty surrounding Romo’s professional future.

In July, law enforcement arrested the former quarterback in Wisconsin after a traffic stop on Interstate 43. Police reported that he performed poorly on standardized field sobriety tests. Romo later pleaded no contest to a charge of operating a vehicle while intoxicated, receiving a six-month driving suspension and a fine.

CBS Cuts Ties After Financial Settlement on $180 Million Deal

When Romo signed a 10-year, $180 million contract extension in February 2020, it reset the market for color commentators at roughly $18 million annually. At the time, his knack for predicting plays before the snap had made him an immediate sensation alongside play-by-play partner Jim Nantz.

Over time, however, the massive deal became an albatross for the network as viewer criticism mounted and the initial novelty wore off. According to reporting by The Athletic cited across industry coverage, CBS executives had concerns about Romo’s preparation and reliability well before the summer arrest, with management previously stepping in to address performance expectations after the 2022 season.

With four years and about $72 million remaining on his agreement, the sides negotiated a buyout prior to Friday’s announcement. Industry estimates indicate that Romo is expected to be paid a good portion of that remaining money to clear the books ahead of future rights cycles, including CBS’s upcoming Super Bowl broadcast under Skydance ownership in 2028.

J.J. Watt Takes Over Top Broadcast Booth Permanently

When CBS placed Romo on indefinite leave in late July, the network elevated former NFL defensive star J.J. Watt to the top broadcast team alongside Jim Nantz and sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson. Watt, who joined CBS Sports in 2023 after a 12-year playing career, handled the opening weeks of the NFL season on an interim basis. With Friday’s announcement, CBS confirmed that Watt will continue to partner with Nantz and Wolfson for the rest of the season, cementing a permanent transition in the network’s premier slot. The network noted that all other broadcast pairings, including Ian Eagle, Ross Tucker, and Evan Washburn, remain unchanged.

CBS Sports and Tony Romo Release Statements on Departure

Neither side leaned into the reported behind-the-scenes friction during Friday’s formal announcements, choosing instead to focus on the past nine years of partnership.

“CBS Sports and Tony Romo have mutually agreed to part ways. We thank Tony for his contributions over the past nine years and wish him the best moving forward.”

CBS Sports, Network Statement

Romo released a statement addressing his departure and pointing toward a period of personal reflection following a challenging summer marked by physical pain from his playing career, subsequent reliance on medication, and the resulting alcohol dependence he detailed in a September social media post.

“I’m proud of what I accomplished at CBS Sports over the last nine years. I approached my role as a game analyst the way I’ve approached everything in my life — with a desire to win and be the best that I can be. I’m going to use this time to take a break, something I’ve never done before, and focus on my health and my family before moving on to my next opportunity. I am grateful for my time with CBS Sports and for the continued support of my family and friends, as well as the NFL community and fans.”

Tony Romo, Former NFL Analyst

Romo Competes in PGA Tour Q-School After Exit

As the news broke on Friday, the 46-year-old amateur was competing in a PGA Tour Q-School pre-qualifying event at The Club at Forest Ridge in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Romo finished the tournament tied for 48th place at 9-over par, placing him three shots off the cutline and leaving him not currently in contention to advance to the next stage.

Contracts for top booth personnel at competing networks, including ESPN’s Troy Aikman and Fox’s Greg Olsen, face potential expiration or opt-out triggers following the conclusion of the upcoming Super Bowl in February.

More on this story: Tony Romo and CBS Sports Mutually Part Ways After OWI Plea · Greg Olsen Emerges as Candidate for CBS Role Amid Tony Romo Leave · Tony Romo Placed On Leave By CBS Sports Following OWI Arrest