The network announced on Friday that the two sides have mutually agreed to part ways, bringing a definitive close to Romo’s broadcasting career with the network after a period of intense scrutiny and an indefinite leave of absence over the summer. The departure follows a legal incident in Wisconsin involving an arrest for operating a vehicle while under the influence earlier this year.
"CBS Sports and Tony Romo have mutually agreed to part ways," the network said in a brief statement released on Friday. "We thank Tony for his contributions over the past nine years and wish him the best moving forward."
The network also clarified the immediate future of its top NFL broadcasting crew, confirming that former NFL star JJ Watt will remain in the booth alongside Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson. Watt will continue to partner with the veteran play-by-play announcer and sideline reporter for the remainder of the season to anchor CBS Sports’ lead NFL announce team. Additionally, the network confirmed that all other broadcast pairings will remain unchanged, keeping established teams like Ian Eagle, Ross Tucker, and Evan Washburn in their current roles.
Romo’s exit from the network caps a tumultuous multi-month period that began during the NFL offseason. In late July, the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback was placed on indefinite leave by CBS Sports after he was arrested in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on suspicion of operating a vehicle under the influence. The arrest, which took place on July 23, immediately cast a shadow over his broadcast future and led the network to bench him as they evaluated the situation.
Following the late-July traffic stop in downtown Milwaukee, law enforcement officials issued three formal citations against Romo in connection with the incident: operating a motor vehicle while under the influence, unsafe passing, and the possession of an open container of alcohol in a moving vehicle. The high-profile arrest quickly drew national media attention, prompting questions about how CBS Sports would handle one of its most prominent and highest-paid on-air talents.
The legal proceedings moved forward in September when Romo entered a plea through legal representation. In court, an attorney representing the former quarterback entered a plea of no contest to the operating while intoxicated charge. Upon review of the case, the presiding judge found him guilty of the offense.
The court handed down several penalties as part of the judgment. Romo’s driving privileges were officially revoked for a period of six months. In addition, he was ordered to complete a formal alcohol assessment program and pay a fine of $784. The court also attached a strict compliance deadline to the financial penalty, stipulating that failure to pay the $784 fine by November 2 would result in an automatic one-year suspension of his driver’s license.
Furthermore, the judicial orders included preventative measures regarding his future operation of motor vehicles. The court mandated that Romo must install an ignition interlock device on any vehicle owned, operated, or registered under his name. This specialized monitoring device is designed to measure a driver’s breath alcohol content before allowing the vehicle’s ignition to engage, confirming that the operator is not under the influence before hitting the road.
As CBS Sports noted in its official statement announcing the departure, Romo’s run with the network spanned nine seasons. He initially transitioned directly from the NFL gridiron into the broadcast booth in 2017, immediately drawing widespread praise for his innovative style, enthusiastic delivery, and uncanny ability to predict offensive plays before they unfolded on the field. His instant chemistry with Jim Nantz quickly propelled them to CBS’s primary NFL game coverage team, where they routinely called the network’s biggest matchups, including multiple Super Bowls.
Over the years, Romo’s broadcasting style evolved, drawing both high acclaim from viewers who appreciated his unbridled passion and analytical insights, and occasional critiques regarding his transition into a more relaxed, conversational style. Despite the changing reception, he remained a foundational pillar of CBS Sports’ NFL coverage strategy for nearly a decade, anchoring Sunday afternoons for millions of viewers across the country.
The parting of ways leaves a permanent vacancy on CBS’s premier broadcast crew, though the network has already set its course by leaning on JJ Watt to fill the prominent role alongside Nantz and Wolfson for the rest of the season. As the network moves forward into the heart of the NFL schedule with its remaining broadcasting teams intact, the conclusion of Romo’s tenure marks the end of a significant chapter in modern NFL television history.