Tony Romo and CBS Sports part ways following July OWI arrest

CBS Sports and Tony Romo announced on Friday that they have mutually agreed to end their professional relationship. The decision follows Romo’s arrest in July on suspicion of operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OWI). The network stated it was a joint decision to part ways, thanking Romo for his contributions over the past nine years.

Legal Proceedings and Arrest

Romo, the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback, was arrested during a traffic stop in Milwaukee on 23 July. According to the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office report, police said he “performed poorly” on standardized field sobriety tests before he was taken into custody, booked, and released.

On 1 September, Romo pleaded no contest to a charge of operating a vehicle while intoxicated. As part of the sentence, he was given a six-month driving ban and ordered to have an interlock device placed on his vehicle. He was also required to pay a fine of $834 and complete an alcohol assessment program.

Romo’s Statement on Health and Family

In a statement released Friday, Romo expressed pride in his tenure at CBS Sports. “I’m proud of what I accomplished at CBS Sports over the last nine years,” Romo said. “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.”

He added that he plans to take a break to focus on his health and family “before moving on to my next opportunity.”

In an Instagram post last month, Romo addressed the circumstances leading to his arrest. “Multiple back surgeries ended my career earlier than I expected and left me with constant, debilitating pain,” he wrote. “That pain led to a dependence on pain medication, and my efforts to get off those medications led to an over-reliance on alcohol.”

Romo stated that he takes responsibility for his “failures” and is working with a team of doctors. “The past month has been difficult, but it has also been personally significant. It has required me to confront and own my mistakes fully — to the Lord, to myself, to my family, and now to the public,” he said.

Broadcasting Changes

Following Romo’s initial suspension and indefinite leave, CBS Sports elevated former NFL star defender J.J. Watt to take his place. CBS Sports confirmed on Friday that Watt will continue to partner with Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson as the lead NFL announcing team for the rest of the season.

Romo had served as the lead analyst for CBS’s NFL coverage since 2017. In 2020, he signed a 10-year, $180m contract to be the network’s top analyst. His playing career with the Dallas Cowboys ran from 2004 to 2016, during which he made four Pro Bowl appearances.

Why it matters

The departure concludes a nine-year tenure for Romo at CBS Sports, a role he held since 2017 under a contract valued at $180m. The network has confirmed that J.J. Watt will remain the lead NFL game analyst alongside Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson for the remainder of the season.

Sources

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.