CBS announced in a press release that Tony Romo is on hiatus “at further notice.” Romo posted on Instagram that he is focusing on “my health, my family and eventually returning to CBS.”
Romo lost his driving privileges for six months after pleading no contest to OWI (operating while intoxicated) since his July arrest in Wisconsin. Is the job next?
Romo has $72 million and four years left on his contract. His .15 blood alcohol level was nearly twice the legal limit in Wisconsin. The attached videos are funny-waiting-to-happen. It feels like Romo hasn’t been a very good commentator for a few seasons and CBS Sports has decided it’s time to part ways with irreconcilable differences.
Romo signed a 10-year, $180 million deal in 2020 for a number of reasons, starting with his solid performance during his rookie TV contract of 3 years/$10 million. Romo had perfect timing with ESPN’s Monday night “Booger Mobile” booth riot and NFL renewal negotiations on deck. Romo had options, and CBS had none.
Romo and Jim Nantz should have been the Pat Summers and John Madden of their day. They called it the AFC Championship, which was watched by 50 million or more viewers every year, and when CBS had the Super Bowl, they would be the soundtrack to 120 million fans, give or take.
Romo and Nantz went back and forth after Romo’s arrest. CBS wants Romo As one aspect of the cover?
CBS has already moved, introducing future Hall of Famer JJ Watt to the No. 1 team with Nantz, while moving Ross Tucker to pair with Watt’s former partner Ian Eagle.
Romo, 46, is not known as a hard worker. CBS tried to force him to devote more time to his broadcasting career. And the public only focuses on the arrest, but the entire CBS/Roma relationship story matters.
Maybe the two sides can come together and find a solution. Having Eagles, a master of getting the best out of his teammates, try to revive Romeno’s career in No. 2, though it’s unlikely. The idea of Romo returning to the No. 1 team seems far-fetched at the moment.
What sounds on the horizon is the use of the morality clause and other language in Romo’s contract to reach an agreement on the final $72 million. Romo could be embroiled in a legal battle to determine how much he will receive in his release.
Nantz and Romo had a cousin-nephew relationship on the air — generationally, they just weren’t matched. The duo faded, as did Nantz and former NFL teammate Phil Simms at the end of their run.
Watt will have every chance to land the No. 1 game analyst job. He did well with the Eagles last season.
Until it’s resolved, Romo’s return — or not — will be the most interesting media story of the NFL season.
There are plenty of other huge media stories surrounding the NFL this season. Let’s take a look at some of them.
Tomlin TV
Mike Tomlin has long been on the future lists of TV executives as an on-air personality. It’s the future because Tomlin’s sweepstakes never materialized. Fox backed off, ESPN didn’t want to get involved for some reason and NBC got up. Tomlin made his regular-season TV debut in the 2026 opening-night Super Bowl rematch between the Seahawks and Patriots.
NBC has it. Thin Tony Dungy, Rodney Harrison, and Chris Simms are among the missing, showing the pregame. Still directed by Maria Taylor, he takes his show on the road every week for the first time.
ESPN’s Super Bowl
Because of the popularity of sports, ESPN sometimes feels like a punching bag. However, this is the season since the start-up media company, which began operations in 1979, will host its first Super Bowl. It will be simulcast on ABC and probably 30 other places (ESPN Oops, anyone!) but it will be a big deal with Joe Buck and Troy Aikman on the main call. The promotion (and Disney-wide crossover) started shortly after the Super Bowl ended last February, and don’t expect it to slow down before the game kicks off on Valentine’s Day.
Netflix’s extended schedule
Netflix will have five games as well He won the victory More games for the NFL this year. The doubleheader continues on Christmas Day. The night before Thanksgiving, the Wednesday game will be hosted by the NFL’s new production. He opens the season Thursday against the San Francisco 49ers in Australia for the Los Angeles Rams. New Hall of Famer Luke Kuechly It will be in the booth As Netflix’s No. 1 commentator next to Noah Eagle.
An advertising carousel?
That could be the story of next season as Buck and Aikman leave Fox for ESPN in 2022. Fox responded to that mega-contract by signing Tom Brady, while newcomer Amazon Prime Video picked up Al Michaels. Prime Video paired Michaels with ESPN’s College Football Playoff Kirk Herbstreit.
Buck, Aikman, Michaels and Herbstreit all have expiring contracts. Greg Olsen of the Eagles and Fox also have contracts to expire. Add the romo-watt variable to all. And, what if Travis Kelce retires or Sean McVay decides he doesn’t want to coach anymore?
Let the negotiation begin.
McAfee Night Football
ESPN has become Pat McAfee here, Pat McAfee there, Pat McAfee everywhere. It will be on all NFL screens this year. Adding to the daily ESPN show and “College Game Day”, McAfee It will be normal On Monday night’s countdown. As McAfee has become a dominant personality on “College Gameday,” what’s become more visible is how he interacts with his teammates on Monday nights. McAfee It may also have its own alt-cast. On some Monday nights. If McAfee’s alt-casts are anything to go by, it’s expected to be on Peyton and Eli’s “Manning City” dates.
Under the radar
ESPN It has changed His No. 2 NFL teams, such as Dave Pasch, Jason Kelce and Kurt Warner; Bob Wischusen and Louis Riddick will call the other games. Some games will be on the NFL Network, which is now owned by ESPN.
ESPN’s former No. 2 team is Chris Fowler, Dan Orlowski and Riddick, while NFL Network’s Warner is paired with Rich Eisen.