Tony Romo Placed on Leave at CBS Sports After OWI Arrest

(UPDATE: Friday, July 31, 11:35 a.m.): CBS Sports announced on July 31 that Tony Romo will be “on leave until further notice” at the network. The news comes following his arrest for suspicion of operating a vehicle while under the influence on July 23. It was not confirmed whether CBS initiated the leave or if Romo, who has served as the lead NFL color analyst for CBS since 2017, requested it.

The football season is fast approaching and it’s unclear how this will affect CBS’ coverage this fall.

(ORIGINAL STORY): Five days after Tony Romo’s arrest for suspicion of operating a vehicle while under the influence, alleged details about the former football player’s future with CBS Sports have been revealed. Romo is the lead color analyst for NFL on CBS and has been with the network since he retired from pro football in 2017.

Romo will not be fired from CBS following his legal issues, according to the Daily Mail. However, a source told the outlet, “He might step back a little, short term, but he isn’t going anywhere long term. That wouldn’t make any sense for us at all.”

The former Dallas Cowboys star’s reported 10-year $180 million contract with CBS lasts until 2030. As Daily Mail’s source pointed out, “He’s already canceled his appearance at the golf tournament he was scheduled to attend and play in, and over the next few weeks he’s looking to keep a low profile while focusing on getting himself ready for the upcoming season.”

The outlet also reported that Romo “contacted his bosses almost immediately” to fill them in on what happened when he was pulled over. “Thankfully, Tony didn’t hurt himself or anyone else, and most importantly, no lives were lost,” the source saiid. “He knows he made a terrible decision and is well aware of it and he knows he disappointed not only himself, but those he works with and family.”

Romo’s court date is currently set for September 21 after his July 23 arrest in Milwaukee. Per NBC News, Romo “performed poorly” on field sobriety tests after he was pulled over. The New York Post reported that Romo received a citation for “refusing to take test for intoxication after arrest.”

Prior to becoming an analyst, Romo was a quarterback in the NFL from 2004 to 2016. He was on the Dallas Cowboys for the entirety of his NFL career.