CBS Sports has placed lead NFL game analyst Tony Romo on indefinite leave following his recent arrest in Wisconsin for suspicion of operating while intoxicated, according to Yahoo Sports. The network announced the decision in a one-sentence press release on Friday, stating that Romo is on leave from his role until further notice, as reported by Nbcsports.
Tony Romo Placed on Indefinite Leave by CBS Sports Following Wisconsin OWI Arrest
The 46-year-old former Dallas Cowboys quarterback was pulled over by law enforcement in his home state of Wisconsin on Thursday night, July 23, while traveling south on Interstate 43, according to details published by the nypost.com. Police reports indicate that Romo was returning from the Wisconsin Amateur Championship golf tournament—where he finished 35-over-par and won $60—when he was stopped in Milwaukee. Citations viewed by the nypost.com state that Romo drove in the marked right distress lane to pass vehicles during rush hour traffic and cut across a marked gore. Officers spotted an open bottle of an alcoholic beverage on the passenger side of his black Jeep. According to Yahoo Sports and citations noted by the nypost.com, Romo performed poorly on field sobriety tests and refused to take a breathalyzer test after his arrest for a first-offense OWI. A spokesperson for the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s office stated that the case is classified as a traffic violation rather than a criminal charge under Wisconsin law. Romo has a court appearance scheduled for September 21, while the NFL’s 2026–2027 season is set to begin on September 9, as detailed by Variety.
JJ Watt Slotted to Fill Romo’s Role Alongside Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson
With Romo sidelined, CBS has tabbed former NFL star JJ Watt to fill the prominent role on the network’s No. 1 broadcast team alongside play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz and sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson, per bleacherreport.com and nypost.com. Watt joined CBS as a studio analyst in 2023 following a stellar playing career with the Houston Texans and Arizona Cardinals, and he transitioned to working as a color commentator alongside Ian Eagle last season, according to Variety and bleacherreport.com.
The abrupt shift arrives as the upcoming professional football season approaches. Romo originally joined CBS Sports in 2017 immediately after retiring from the NFL, where he played 13 seasons for the Dallas Cowboys from 2004 to 2016, according to bleacherreport.com. During his playing career, Romo went 78-49 as a starter, establishing franchise records with 248 touchdown passes while ranking second in passing yardage behind Dak Prescott. As a broadcaster, Romo quickly gained acclaim for his ability to predict plays before they happened, earning a lucrative 10-year, $180 million contract extension in 2020, as outlined by Yahoo Sports.
Contractual Implications and Future Status with CBS
Romo’s long-term future at the network remains uncertain and depends heavily on the terms of his contract, according to Nbcsports. While the network retains the option to terminate his agreement, unless the arrest constitutes a termination with cause under the contract definitions, CBS remains obligated to continue paying him, as noted by Nbcsports. Yahoo Sports reported that CBS could potentially save $72 million from the final four years of his deal if the arrest serves as a triggering event for termination. Neither Romo nor representatives for CBS have publicly elaborated beyond the initial statements, leaving the permanent status of the network’s top analyst unresolved as pre-season preparations continue.