CBS Sports has placed Tony Romo on indefinite leave from his role as lead NFL color commentator. The move follows Romo's arrest in Milwaukee on July 23 on suspicion of operating a vehicle while intoxicated. J.J. Watt, the network's No. 2 analyst, will fill Romo's position.
Romo's suspension comes six weeks before he was scheduled to begin regular-season coverage alongside play-by-play veteran Jim Nantz. The duo was set to broadcast from Minneapolis for the season kickoff. CBS did not provide a timetable for Romo's potential return.
Deputies detained Romo on July 23 after a traffic stop on I-43 for alleged violations. Body-cam footage from the incident showed Romo telling deputies he was on his way to meet his grandparents after playing a round of golf. Romo asked to speak with an attorney, but that request was denied.
Upon exiting his vehicle, Romo questioned the officers, asking, "Because I'm coming from a golf course, you think I'm drunk?" He then underwent a 12-minute series of field sobriety tests. Romo subsequently refused to submit to a breathalyzer test.
"Oh, no: We're not doing that," Romo said during the stop. He added, "I've heard from multiple lawyers, 'Don't ever do that.' So, we're not going to do that." Romo was arrested shortly after his refusal.
A court hearing is scheduled for Sept. 21, though his presence is not required. In Wisconsin, a first-time OWI conviction is classified as a civil forfeiture rather than a criminal offense. The maximum financial penalty, if convicted, is $735, which includes a $435 OWI surcharge.
Watt's elevation to the lead booth marks a rapid ascent within CBS Sports. He joined the network as a studio analyst two years ago and was promoted to the No. 2 NFL booth last season. He will now join Nantz and Tracy Wolfson in the top broadcast team. CBS said it will provide more information about its 2026-27 NFL roster at a later date, including who will take Watt's place alongside Ian Eagle.
Two precedents are worth considering. In 2013, NBC play-by-play announcer Al Michaels was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence in Santa Monica, California. He faced a misdemeanor charge, was released on his own recognizance, later pleaded no contest to a reduced charge of reckless driving, and was sentenced to 80 hours of community service. He did not miss any assignments during the 2013-14 NFL season.
Charles Barkley received a six-week suspension from TNT after his DUI arrest in December 2008. Barkley spent three days in jail and paid over $2,000 in fines.
Romo's suspension ensures he will not face questions about his arrest at CBS's annual NFL media conference, set for Aug. 11 in New York.
