Tony Romo and CBS Sports mutually part ways after OWI plea

CBS and Romo Part Ways After OWI Plea

CBS Sports and former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo have officially ended their professional relationship, marking the conclusion of a nine-year partnership. The network announced the decision on October 2, 2026, citing a “mutual parting” following Romo’s no-contest plea to an operating while intoxicated (OWI) charge. The separation occurred more than two months after Romo’s July 23, 2026, arrest in Wisconsin, which led to his indefinite leave from the network.

Romo’s legal troubles began after a traffic stop on Interstate 43 in Wisconsin, where he was charged with OWI. Court records indicate he faced four citations, including charges of unsafe passing, possession of an open alcoholic beverage, and refusal to take an intoxication test. He pleaded no contest to the OWI charge on September 1, 2026, and received a six-month driving suspension along with a requirement to complete an alcohol assessment program. The other citations were dismissed as part of the plea agreement.

Romo’s Statement on Health and Responsibility

In a statement released after his plea, Romo acknowledged personal failures linked to his professional career. He cited multiple back surgeries that ended his playing days prematurely, leading to a reliance on pain medication. “My efforts to get off those medications led to an over-reliance on alcohol,” he said. “None of this is an excuse. These are my failures, and I take responsibility for them.”

Romo, 46, emphasized his commitment to addressing his health and family. “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,” he stated. His remarks align with CBS’s acknowledgment of his contributions, which the network described as “personal and professional significance.”

Contract Details and Broadcasting Impact

Romo joined CBS Sports in 2017, shortly after retiring as a player, and quickly became the network’s lead NFL color analyst. His partnership with play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz and sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson defined CBS’s prime-time coverage. In 2020, he signed a 10-year, $180 million contract extension, making him one of the highest-paid analysts in sports broadcasting.

The network placed Romo on indefinite leave on July 31, 2026, just over a week after his arrest. During his absence, JJ Watt, who had joined CBS’s NFL broadcast team in 2025, assumed lead analyst duties alongside Nantz and Wolfson. CBS confirmed that Watt will continue in this role for the remainder of the season, with no changes to other broadcast teams.

Legacy and Unanswered Questions

Romo’s tenure at CBS coincided with three Super Bowl broadcasts (2018, 2020, 2023) and cemented his reputation as a charismatic and insightful analyst. However, recent years saw declining reviews of his performance, which some outlets speculated may have influenced CBS’s decision to part ways. The network’s statement did not explicitly address this, focusing instead on gratitude for his “contributions.”

Romo’s future remains unclear. While he expressed intent to “focus on my health and family,” no details about potential next steps were provided. The mutual parting leaves questions about how CBS will navigate its NFL coverage without its former star analyst, and whether Romo’s career in broadcasting will continue.

Romo’s departure marks the end of an era for CBS Sports, which has yet to announce a successor. As the network shifts focus to its remaining analysts, the broader sports community will watch how Romo’s career evolves amid ongoing health and legal considerations.