Former NFL quarterback and current CBS Sports analyst Tony Romo is on indefinite leave following an operating while intoxicated (OWI) arrest on July 23, leading to speculation about his future with the network. Boomer Esiason, a former CBS analyst and colleague, suggested on his WFAN radio show that Romo's time with CBS may be over.
"If I had to guess, purely speculation given what’s going on right now, I would think it’s over," Esiason said. "He may end up going somewhere else and getting things straightened out."
Esiason drew a parallel to a situation in 2017 when Phil Simms, then the network's lead NFL analyst, was demoted to make way for Romo. Esiason noted that unlike in 2017, when Tony Gonzalez left the pregame show creating a space for Simms, there is no current vacancy in CBS's top NFL broadcast booth for Romo. The network recently announced that J.J. Watt would join Jim Nantz in the lead booth, shifting from his previous role alongside Ian Eagle.
CBS Sports executives and Romo's broadcast partners have offered limited comments. CBS Sports president David Berson stated on Tuesday that no final decision has been made regarding Romo's contract, which reportedly has $72 million remaining. Berson acknowledged the importance of the network's image and brand in making such decisions. "In making this decision, we have to consider the impact on our image and our brand," Berson said. "That’s very important to us. The focus should be and needs to be on our presentation and this great product and not on any other factors."
Jim Nantz, Romo's longtime broadcast partner, expressed his continued friendship with the former quarterback. "Tony is a great friend of mine and has been for years," Nantz said. "So, this was not someone in 2017 when he entered the booth I was just getting to know for the first time. So he’s a great friend, continues to be, always will be. I adore his family, his wife (Candice Crawford) is awesome. They’re the ones that are on my mind right now."
Romo was arrested in Wisconsin. According to a citation reviewed by The Post, Romo was cited for "cutting across the marked gore" while driving in rush hour traffic. He reportedly declined a breathalyzer test, performed poorly on field sobriety tests, and an open container of alcohol was found in his vehicle. The charge is considered a traffic violation in Wisconsin, and Romo faces fines totaling $1,568.50. His court date is scheduled for September 21. Romo has not publicly addressed the arrest or his contract situation.