Following Tony Romo’s arrest for an OWI in Milwaukee County, CBS Sports placed its lead NFL analyst on leave until further notice. While JJ Watt steps in temporarily, Fox Sports’ Greg Olsen emerges as a potential permanent replacement, navigating a complex network contract situation and prior demotion.
Tony Romo’s OWI Arrest and CBS Sports’ Decision
At the time of the incident, Romo was driving from a golf tournament after completing the final round of the 125th Wisconsin Amateur Championship in West Bend hours earlier.
In the wake of the arrest, CBS Sports placed its lead National Football League analyst on leave until further notice.
JJ Watt Steps In as CBS Considers Its Next Move
However, industry reporting indicates that Romo faces a steep uphill climb to retain his position given the indefinite nature of his leave.
According to Puck’s Varsity Newsletter via Pro Football Talk, John Ourand raised several potential replacements should CBS decide to move on permanently from Romo, with both Watt and Greg Olsen appearing as candidate names.
Greg Olsen’s Position at Fox Sports and Past Demotion
For Greg Olsen, a potential move to CBS could provide a fresh opportunity after he was previously bumped from Fox Sports’ top analyst position to make room for Tom Brady.
The Financial Obstacles of Moving On From Romo
Any permanent transition at CBS involves significant financial hurdles. Romo is still owed $72 million to be paid over the next four years, as noted by Pro Football Talk.
While CBS could attempt to terminate Romo’s contract with cause—which would eliminate the network’s financial obligation—such a maneuver would likely trigger a legal battle. Pro Football Talk suggests that litigation could ultimately result in a settlement where Romo receives a portion of the money owed to him.
What to Watch Next in the CBS Analyst Shakeup
Time will ultimately dictate whether Olsen successfully supplants Romo at the network. First, CBS management must determine whether Romo’s current leave of absence will transition into a permanent dismissal, a decision that hinges on both legal considerations regarding his multi-million dollar contract and the performance of interim fill-ins like JJ Watt.
