The hammer has finally dropped on Tony Romo's broadcasting career — for now. CBS has officially placed the NFL analyst on leave following his recent OWI arrest in Wisconsin, but if the network thinks they're off the hook financially, they might want to think again.
A network representative confirmed to Page Six on Friday that Romo is "on leave from his role at CBS Sports until further notice." Neither Romo nor his representatives have publicly commented on the situation since the news broke, leaving fans and insiders speculating about what comes next.
In the meantime, CBS has tapped former NFL star J.J. Watt to fill Romo's seat alongside Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson. But the big question looming over all of this isn't just who's calling the games — it's how much this could cost CBS if they decide to cut ties entirely.
According to sports media insider Ari Meirov, Romo has "north of $70M and at least four years remaining on his contract with CBS." That's a massive financial commitment, and it means CBS would be staring down a hefty payout if they choose to fire Romo without cause. Of course, the contract might include a morals clause or termination provision that could soften the blow, but that's something only the lawyers know for sure.
The incident that triggered all this happened on July 23, when Romo was arrested in Milwaukee on suspicion of operating a vehicle while intoxicated. The Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office said deputies pulled him over on Interstate 43 after observing unsafe passing and lane deviations. According to reports, Romo struggled with field sobriety tests and was also cited for having an open container of alcohol in his vehicle and for unsafe passing on the right.
Romo was booked into the Milwaukee County Jail but released later that evening. In Wisconsin, a first-offense OWI is typically treated as a civil offense rather than a criminal charge, but it can still lead to significant fines and license penalties. His court date is set for September 21.
Body camera footage released after the arrest shows Romo cooperating with officers for most of the encounter, though reports indicate he refused a chemical intoxication test. In the aftermath, he pulled out of a scheduled golf tournament in Texas, and CBS announced his leave of absence while the legal process plays out.
This situation echoes other recent sports media controversies, like the sudden leave of absence for Michael Lombardi at UNC, which also raised questions about job security and contractual obligations. And while Romo's future at CBS remains uncertain, the financial stakes are undeniably high.
For now, fans will have to wait and see how this unfolds. But one thing's for sure: if CBS decides to part ways with Romo, they'll need more than a piggy bank to cover the tab.
