Story perspectives

CBS Places Romo on Leave, Seeks $72M Contract Termination

8/2/2026

Summary

Romo Suspended

CBS placed quarterback Tony Romo on leave after his July 23 arrest for operating while intoxicated in Wisconsin.
Police cited Romo for an open container, refusing a breathalyzer, and passage on the right.
CBS announced Houston Texans defensive lineman J.J. Watt will replace Romo alongside Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson.
CBS said Romo’s $18 million-per-year, $72 million-over-four-years contract could be terminated before the September 13 season kickoff.
Romo has a court date on September 21.

Summary

Romo Arbitration

CBS’s contract with Tony Romo includes an arbitration clause moving disputes out of courts.
Analysts say CBS will seek a settlement to cut the $72 million obligation.
Romo’s lawyers may argue the morals clause conflicts with CBS cases where conduct did not trigger termination.
If arbitration favors CBS, the contract could end with no further payment.
A loss would require the full $72 million and could push networks to tighten morals language.

History

Historical Context

In December 1993 the NFL awarded Fox a four-year, $1.58 billion NFC contract, stripping CBS of the games it had aired since 1956. The loss forced CBS to shed key affiliates and drop in the ratings, prompting a strategy shift that later led to its 1998 eight-year, $4 billion AFC deal and the 2024 athlete-contract model.

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Romo Suspended

CBS placed quarterback Tony Romo on leave after his July 23 arrest for operating while intoxicated in Wisconsin.
Police cited Romo for an open container, refusing a breathalyzer, and passage on the right.
CBS announced Houston Texans defensive lineman J.J. Watt will replace Romo alongside Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson.
CBS said Romo’s $18 million-per-year, $72 million-over-four-years contract could be terminated before the September 13 season kickoff.
Romo has a court date on September 21.

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