Many predict Tony Romo’s NFL broadcasting demise — as CBS has potential out with morals clause

Tony Romo may be on thin ice at CBS. 

After Romo was placed on leave from CBS due to an OWI arrest on July 23 in Wisconsin, The Athletic noted that even though he’s under contract for the foreseeable future, there’s a way the network can fully move on from the longtime broadcaster. 

Romo’s 10-year, $180 million contract includes a morals clause – as all major talent contracts do – “one networks can challenge if a star is unable to represent their brand in a positive fashion after a public embarrassment,” per The Athletic.

He’s slated to earn $72 million over the next four years, but is “on leave” from CBS until “further notice,” the network said in a statement Friday. 

In place of Romo, Texans legend J.J. Watt will fill his void on the network’s top broadcast team alongside Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson. 

While driving in Wisconsin on July 23, Romo was stopped on the road around 8 p.m. and didn’t pass sobriety tests. Romo was taken into custody, booked and released. 

Romo was driving his Black Jeep, and the sheriff’s office said he had an open container of alcohol in it. Court records indicated he refused to “take test for intoxication after arrest.” 

The former Cowboys quarterback is scheduled for a court hearing Sept. 21, but isn’t required to attend. 

The 46-year-old also faces a total of $1,568.50 in fines. 

After retiring from the NFL in 2017, Romo joined CBS as a color analyst, and has been the lead analyst for the network’s NFL coverage for nine years. 

Although Romo was once considered the “golden boy” of NFL commentary, fans have grown increasingly critical of him recently due to his style and overexuberance. 

Before his broadcasting career, Romo spent 12 seasons with the Cowboys, throwing for 248 touchdowns while earning four Pro Bowl nods.