Full Breakdown
Tony Romo’s Exit from CBS Sports After OWI Arrest
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback and CBS lead NFL analyst Tony Romo was arrested on July 23 during a traffic stop in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on suspicion of operating while intoxicated (OWI). After performing poorly on standardized field-sobriety tests, he was booked and later released. Romo pleaded no contest to the civil OWI charge on September 1 and received a six-month driving suspension, a mandatory ignition-interlock device, and an alcohol-assessment program. On October 2 CBS Sports announced that the network and Romo had “mutually agreed to part ways,” ending his nine-year tenure as the network’s top color commentator.
Background & Context
Romo retired from the NFL in 2016 after a 13-year career with the Dallas Cowboys, earning four Pro Bowl selections and setting franchise records for passing yards and touchdowns. He joined CBS Sports for the 2017 season, pairing with play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz and becoming known for his rapid play-prediction style. In February 2020 CBS and Romo signed a ten-year, $180 million extension, the largest contract for a television analyst at the time. By the time of his departure, four years and roughly $72 million of that deal remained.
Data & Statistics
- Contract: 10-year, $180 million deal (2020); four years and about $72 million left at the time of exit – reported by The Athletic.
- Legal penalties: six-month driver-license suspension; ignition-interlock device required; participation in an alcohol-assessment program.
- Fine: reported as $834 by The Guardian, $784 by News9 and Finchannel, indicating a discrepancy in the exact amount.
- Driving record: no-contest plea entered on September 1; OWI classified as a first-offense civil violation in Wisconsin.
Official Statements & Responses
CBS issued a brief statement confirming the separation and thanking Romo for his contributions. Network president David Berson later explained that the decision was driven by concerns for the network’s image and brand. Romo released his own statement emphasizing personal accountability, a desire to focus on health and family, and gratitude for support from fans and the NFL community.
On-the-Ground Reports
Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office body-camera footage released after the arrest shows Romo telling deputies he was traveling from a golf tournament to visit relatives, then stumbling through a series of field-sobriety tests. Officers noted the odor of alcohol, and an open container was later found in the vehicle.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the monetary fine imposed for the OWI conviction: The Guardian cites an $834 penalty, while News9 and Finchannel report a $784 fine. No outlet provides a definitive clarification, leaving the exact amount unconfirmed.