Tonn OWI Arrest as J.J. Watt Steps Into Top Booth
Tony Romo’s future as one of sports television’s top analysts is now in question. On Friday, CBS Sports said the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback is on leave after being arrested in Wisconsin for allegedly driving while intoxicated. The network did not say when he might return, only that he will be away “until further notice.” This comes just before CBS starts another NFL season, where Romo was set to be the lead game analyst. His absence changes the network’s main broadcast team and puts focus on a legal case that is still unresolved. Romo has not been convicted, and the case will now go through the Wisconsin courts.
This situation comes at a tricky time for CBS. The network needs to get its announcing teams ready, protect its important broadcast deals, and respond carefully before the Wisconsin court makes any decisions.
A traffic stop that became a national story
Romo, 46, was pulled over on July 23 while driving south on Interstate 43 in Milwaukee County. According to the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office, he did not pass the standard field sobriety tests and was taken into custody, then released. He is set to appear in court on September 21. The sheriff’s office said the stop happened after Romo was seen passing cars through a gore area, which is the marked space between highway lanes and on-ramps. A citation said an open bottle of alcohol was found on the passenger side of his black Jeep before it was towed. Romo also got citations for the alleged OWI, unsafe passing on the right, and having an open container. ERA footage gave more details. Romo told deputies he was coming from a golf course and heading to visit his grandparents. An officer said Romo’s eyes were red and glassy and he smelled of alcohol. Court records also show Romo was cited for refusing a test for intoxication after his arrest. This is important because in Wisconsin, a first OWI offense is usually a civil violation, not a criminal charge, but it can still mean fines and license issues. The allegations are still pending, and Romo has not been found liable by a court.
CBS Sports confirmed Romo’s leave in a short statement: “Tony Romo is on leave from his role at CBS Sports until further notice.” The network did not call this a firing or a permanent suspension, so his future is still uncertain. This change is a challenge for CBS. Romo has worked with play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz on the network’s top NFL team since 2017, calling big games including several Super Bowls. His energy and knack for predicting plays made him one of TV’s most popular football analysts. J.J. Watt will take Romo’s spot next to Nantz and sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson during the leave. Watt joined CBS in 2023 after a successful NFL career and later moved from the studio to the broadcast booth. His promotion puts him in one of the most high-profile jobs in sports media. He has already worked as a game analyst, and his recent playing days give him a fresh view on NFL strategies, locker rooms, and coaching. Still, replacing Romo on the lead crew is a big deal because that team usually covers the network’s biggest games.
Romo’s second career faces its biggest test
Romo entered broadcasting immediately after retiring from the NFL in April 2017. He spenRomo started his broadcasting career right after retiring from the NFL in April 2017. He played his whole career with the Cowboys, made four Pro Bowls, and set a team record with 248 touchdown passes. His 34,183 passing yards were a Dallas record until Dak Prescott broke it in 2025. Romo’s move to TV was unusually quick. Instead of starting on a smaller crew, he joined Nantz on CBS’s lead team and became known for predicting plays before they happened. That success reportedly led to a 10-year, $180 million contract, making him one of the highest-paid voices in sports broadcasting. Romo is a key part of CBS’s NFL coverage, and his voice has been linked to the network’s biggest games for almost a decade. His absence means CBS must adjust its coverage plans and figure out how to handle this sensitive situation.levision. Their credibility, judgment and personal conduct can affect how viewers see both the individual and the network. In practical terms, CBS’s decision creates distance while officials, the courts and the company assess the incident.
What comes next for Romo and CBS
The next step in the legal process is Romo’s court date on September 21. New information or rulings could affect how long he stays on leave. Romo had not made a detailed public statement when CBS shared its decision. For now, the plan is that Watt will be the lead analyst, with Nantz and Wolfson staying in their roles, so most of the top crew remains the same. This setup might be temporary, but “until further notice” lets CBS adjust as the case moves forward. Romo’s return could depend on more than just the court’s decision. CBS may also look at the alleged conduct, its own policies, public opinion, and Romo’s response. Any choice will have financial and broadcasting effects because of his contract and his long partnership with Nantz.
Right now, this story is about uncertainty, not a final decision on Romo’s career. Romo is on leave, Watt is taking over as lead analyst, and the case is still open. What happens next will show if this is just a short break or a major change for one of the NFL’s most well-known TV voices.
