Jim Nantz, CBS Sports’ top play-by-play announcer, has spoken out about Tony Romo’s OWI arrest in July, which has led to him having a new partner in the booth ahead of another NFL season.
Nantz and Romo have been together since the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback signed his massive 10-year contract to join CBS Sports as its top NFL analyst to work alongside the legendary broadcaster.
During "NFL on CBS" Media Day on Tuesday, Awful Announcing asked Nantz about Romo and whether he has been kept in the loop by CBS Sports regarding his status for the NFL season.
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"I really was just laying low," Nantz responded. "I had golf events to do and I knew they had a lot to, you know, look at, sort out. But I made my mind up because we have this late flurry of golf events on the schedule. I was going to communicate with Tony, which we have, back and forth. …I just kind of wanted to focus on what’s in front of me, and that’s what I’ve done.
Romo was arrested by Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office deputies after showing signs of impairment while driving in Wisconsin on his way back from a golf event.
CBS SPORTS PRESIDENT SAYS 'NO TIMETABLE OR FINAL DECISION' ON TONY ROMO'S FUTURE AFTER OWI ARREST
He was charged with operating while intoxicated after allegedly performing poorly during field sobriety tests. Romo was also charged with having an open bottle of alcohol in his vehicle and with unsafe passing.
CBS Sports President said at the same media day that Romo’s situation is "evolving" and that the network is "still assessing."
"We have to consider the impact on our image and our brand," Berson said. "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.
"Fortunately, we have a deep bench and everybody is stepping up."
CBS Sports announced that Houston Texans legend J.J. Watt will be taking Romo’s spot next to Nantz. However, the play-by-play great still has love for Romo as a friend and will always be there for him.
"Tony is a great friend of mine and has been for years," Nantz explained. "He and I go back to 2011 when he got married, I was invited to his wedding. So, this was not someone in 2017 when he entered the booth I was just getting to know for the first time. So, he’s a great friend, continues to be, always will be.
"I adore his family, his wife (Candice Crawford) is awesome. They’re the ones that are on my mind right now. The contents of what we talked about, I’m just going to leave that private, and I think that’s the only way and the appropriate way for me to look at it."
Romo is in the middle of his massive 10-year, $180 million deal with CBS as their top NFL analyst, and he is reportedly still owed $72 million after signing the deal in 2020.
OutKick reported in late July that Romo’s future with CBS is in jeopardy beyond his leave, as there were doubts prior to his arrest about whether the network would keep him as its lead analyst after the 2026 season. It’s also worth noting CBS will be airing the Super Bowl in 2028.
Debate about Romo’s preparation has come up in recent seasons, especially among critics saying he hasn’t gelled with Nantz like in years past.
It’s also been reported that Romo’s contract has an industry-standard morals clause, which CBS could invoke to fire Romo over the arrest video. His legal team, though, would almost certainly fight that with millions still owed.
Romo’s court date has been set for Sept. 21, which comes eight days after CBS Sports’ first NFL broadcast with Nantz and Watt.
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