Romo's Plea and Statement

Tony Romo pleaded no contest on Tuesday to an operating while intoxicated charge stemming from his July 23 arrest in Wisconsin, as reported by The Times of India, citing Milwaukee County court records. The records show he lost his driving privileges for six months, was ordered to complete an alcohol assessment program, and owes $834 in fines. Romo still has a court date on September 21.

In a statement posted to Instagram, Romo apologized and signaled his intent to return to CBS. "The past month has been difficult, but it has also been personally significant," he wrote, according to The Times of India.

CBS's Response

CBS had no comment about the statement, as reported by both NBC Sports and The Times of India. The network referred to its prior statement on Romo —a one-line release announcing that he would be placed on leave "until further notice," according to NBC Sports. CBS Sports president David Berson has maintained there is no timetable for a decision on Romo's future, The Times of India reported.

Reporter John Ourand of Puck noted that Romo's statement was not coordinated with the network, a detail that he saw as signaling a real split between the two sides, as reported by The Times of India. Ourand also reported that a return for Romo looks "exceedingly unlikely," according to The Times of India.

Contract and Legal Implications

Romo still has four years and roughly $72 million left on the 10-year, $180 million deal he signed in ​2020, as reported by both NBC Sports and The Times of India. NFL insider Mike Florio wrote that if CBS tries to terminate Romo's contract without paying out the remaining balance, it would likely set off what he called a massive legal fight, according to The Times of India. Florio added that if the contract includes an arbitration clause, any dispute would likely stay out of open court. The most realistic outcome, he suggested, is a negotiated settlement, not a prolonged public battle.

Romo's Status at CBS

CBS barred Romo from its NFL Media Day in New York and did not include him in any of its Week 1 announcer pairings, as reported by The Times of India. Berson refused to offer any timetable for his return, and notably did nothing to push back on the perception that the network was done with him, the same outlet reported.

J. Watt is already in the No. 1 seat alongside Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson, and the Vikings-Packers opener on September 13 will be Watt's first real audition, according to The Times of India. NBC Sports reported that Nantz has been bumped up to the top spot, and by all appearances he'll be given a full and fair chance to retain it beyond ​2026.

Romo's camp is already communicating with CBS about next steps, and his spokesperson made it clear he accepts full responsibility while framing the July arrest as an isolated civil matter, as reported by The Times of India. Romo had already been drawing criticism for his on-air performances over the past few seasons, with many viewers openly preferring the work of Troy Aikman, Tom Brady, and Cris Collinsworth on rival networks, thesame outlet noted.