Tony Romo sidelined by CBS Sports after Wisconsin OWI arrest
Tony Romo has been placed on leave from his position as the lead analyst on CBS’ NFL coverage after an arrest last week on suspicion of operating a vehicle while under the influence. CBS Sports said on Friday that Romo will be on leave “until further notice,” and announced that JJ Watt will join Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson as the network’s lead NFL team during the absence.
A former Dallas Cowboys quarterback, Romo had been the network’s primary game analyst on NFL broadcasts. The announcement came following a Wisconsin OWI traffic stop that resulted in his arrest last week. CBS Sports issued its update on Friday, confirming an immediate change in the broadcast lineup while Romo is away. The network did not provide a timetable for his return beyond the quoted statement.
CBS moved quickly to identify a temporary replacement for its top booth, naming JJ Watt to work alongside Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson. The pairing of Watt with Nantz and Wolfson will serve as the lead broadcast team for NFL games covered by CBS during Romo’s leave. The network framed the change as an interim measure tied to the status of Romo’s availability. No further details about internal personnel plans were released in the statement.
Reports indicate the incident began with a Wisconsin OWI traffic stop that led to Romo’s arrest last week on suspicion of operating a vehicle while under the influence. Those circumstances prompted CBS to take immediate action regarding its on-air lineup for football coverage. The network’s public statement focused on the personnel shift rather than the specifics of the legal matter. Local authorities handled the traffic stop and subsequent arrest in Wisconsin.
Romo’s removal from active duty leaves the network without its usual analyst for the top broadcast role, prompting the elevation of Watt. JJ Watt’s assignment reunites him with veteran play-by-play voice Jim Nantz and sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson in the lead booth. CBS characterized the move as a response to Romo’s unavailability and presented the new trio as the lead NFL team for the network. The company did not outline any long-term changes beyond the immediate reassignment.
The announcement underscored CBS Sports’ intent to maintain continuity in its NFL presentation while Romo remains on leave. The network reiterated the leave will continue “until further notice,” signaling no confirmed timeline for reinstatement. Coverage plans were adjusted promptly to reflect the personnel change ahead of upcoming broadcasts.
The immediate effect is a reconfigured lead team for CBS’s NFL telecasts and an open question about Romo’s future role pending the resolution of the legal matter arising from the Wisconsin OWI traffic stop. The network’s statement and the personnel update leave Romo’s status with CBS dependent on developments related to the arrest.