CBS says 'no timetable' on Tony Romo's future after OWI arrest
Network president David Berson confirms the analyst remains on indefinite leave; J.J. Watt stepping in as lead analyst.
Conversation activity · last 7 hours peak 5/15m
Summary, timeline and people extracted by Claude from 32 items across 3 sources · 2h ago. Quotes are verbatim.
CBS Sports president David Berson announced Tuesday that the network has no timetable for deciding Tony Romo's future following his July 23 arrest on suspicion of operating while intoxicated in Milwaukee. Romo has been on indefinite leave since July 31, with J.J. Watt replacing him as the lead analyst alongside Jim Nantz for the upcoming NFL season; Berson cited concerns about CBS's image and brand in the decision.
- CBS has placed Tony Romo on indefinite leave following his July 23 OWI arrest and has no timeline for deciding his future with the network.
- Network president David Berson cited concerns about CBS's image and brand as reasons for the leave of absence.
- J.J. Watt has replaced Romo as the lead analyst alongside Jim Nantz, with other broadcast booth changes announced to accommodate the transition.
- Romo has a court appearance scheduled for September 21 and has not publicly addressed his arrest or future at CBS.
How it unfolded
-
Romo has a court hearing set for September 21 regarding charges he operated a motor vehicle while intoxicated.
- 6 weeks quiet
-
David Berson told reporters at NFL on CBS Media Day in New York that the situation is 'evolving' and the network is 'still assessing' with 'no timetable or final decision at this time.' He emphasized the need for focus on CBS's presentation and product rather than other factors.
“It's an evolving situation and we are still assessing. There is no timetable or final decision at this time.”
David Berson · Press ↗ -
Berson explained that CBS had to consider the impact on the network's image and brand when deciding to put Romo on leave, and that the focus should be on the presentation and product rather than other factors.
“We have to consider the impact on our image and our brand. That's very important to us. The focus should be and needs to be on our presentation and this great product and not on any others.”
David Berson · Press ↗ -
CBS announced that J.J. Watt will join Jim Nantz in the No. 1 broadcast booth, Ross Tucker will move to the No. 2 booth with Ian Eagle and Evan Washburn, and Nantz reported they called a practice game together on Monday.
- 12 days quiet
-
One week after his arrest, CBS Sports placed Romo on indefinite leave 'until further notice' as details about the arrest surfaced.
- 8 days quiet
-
Romo was stopped by Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office after passing cars in a gore area. He performed poorly on field sobriety tests, was cited for refusing an intoxication test, and had an open container of alcohol in his black Jeep.
What people are saying verbatim
“It's an evolving situation and we are still assessing. There is no timetable or final decision at this time.”
David Berson, CBS Sports president · ESPN ↗ · Aug 10
“We have to consider the impact on our image and our brand. That's very important to us. The focus should be and needs to be on our presentation and this great product and not on any others.”
David Berson, CBS Sports president · ESPN ↗ · Aug 10
“I don't want to begin to try to make a comment about that because that's going to be David's decision. Tony's been a friend of mine for a long time.”
Jim Nantz, Play-by-play announcer · Yahoo Sports ↗ · Aug 10
“This guy's got an incredible personality. He has an ease with which he approaches people. JJ's got the goods. He's really good, and I'm excited to work with him for as long as it will be.”
Jim Nantz, Play-by-play announcer · Yahoo Sports ↗ · Aug 10
“Since it continues to evolve, and we're on the eve of the season, I felt it's very important that our team, the many, many hundreds of people who work on the NFL and CBS, have certainty and direction.”
David Berson, CBS Sports president · Yahoo Sports ↗ · Aug 10