Tony Romo to Receive Majority of Remaining $72 Million Contract from CBS
The former NFL commentator's exit follows his July arrest for OWI.
Tony Romo, the former CBS Sports NFL commentator, is reportedly set to receive a significant portion of the remaining $72 million on his contract following his departure from the network. The Athletic reports that financial terms were agreed upon Friday, before news of the split became public.
Romo's exit comes after more than two months of speculation regarding his future with CBS, which began after his operating while intoxicated (OWI) arrest in July in Milwaukee. CBS had placed Romo on leave pending the legal process.
"I’m proud of what I accomplished at CBS Sports over the last nine years," Romo stated Friday. "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."
CBS Sports president David Berson had previously stated that the network had to consider the impact of the arrest on its image and brand. "The focus should be and needs to be on our presentation and this great product and not on any other factors," Berson said. "Fortunately, we have a deep bench, and I’m really proud of the way everybody is stepping up and responding."
Romo, who spent 14 seasons as an NFL quarterback with the Dallas Cowboys from 2003 to 2016, earning over $127 million in salary, joined CBS Sports in 2017. His initial tenure was met with praise, particularly for his ability to anticipate plays, though some critics later found his broadcasting style less compelling.
Following Romo's departure, J.J. Watt will continue as CBS's lead color analyst, having replaced Romo prior to the start of the current NFL season.
"We thank Tony for his contributions over the past nine years and wish him the best moving forward," CBS said in a statement Friday.