Tony Romo is officially done with CBS Sports, but his departure could still leave him with a substantial payday. The former Dallas Cowboys quarterback and longtime NFL analyst mutually agreed to part ways with the network on October 2, ending a nine-year run that made him one of the highest-paid broadcasters in sports.
The bigger story, however, is what happens to Romo’s massive contract. He signed a 10-year, $180 million agreement with CBS in 2020, leaving four years and approximately $72 million on the deal when the network placed him on leave following his July 2026 arrest for operating a vehicle while intoxicated.
According to reporting from The Athletic, CBS and Romo reached a financial settlement before announcing their split. The exact amount has not been disclosed, but the available reporting indicates Romo is expected to receive a significant portion of the remaining money.
Tony Romo Could Still Walk Away With Tens of Millions
The precise value of Romo’s settlement remains unknown, making it impossible to say exactly how much he will receive from CBS.
However, NBC Sports’ Mike Florio reported that The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand described CBS as preferring to pay a “good portion” of the remaining contract rather than fight Romo over the money through litigation or arbitration. Florio also stressed that his own estimates of a $36 million to $48 million payout are only speculation, not a reported settlement figure.
That distinction is important. Romo is not confirmed to have received $36 million, $48 million or any other specific amount. What is established is that the two sides reached a financial settlement and avoided a prolonged legal dispute.
The settlement also explains why CBS did not simply announce that Romo had been fired without compensation. Contractual questions surrounding termination, guarantees and potential misconduct provisions could have created a complicated dispute over tens of millions of dollars.
J.J. Watt Will Remain in CBS’ Lead NFL Booth
Romo’s CBS career effectively ended after the network placed him on indefinite leave following his July arrest in Wisconsin. He later pleaded no contest to the OWI charge on September 1. CBS had already replaced him on its No. 1 NFL broadcast team with former Houston Texans star J.J. Watt.
CBS confirmed that Watt will continue alongside play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz and sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson for the remainder of the 2026 season. Romo had previously indicated that he expected to return to CBS. Following the announcement, however, he acknowledged that he would instead take time away from broadcasting.
“I’m proud of what I accomplished at CBS Sports over the last nine years,”
Romo said in his statement. He added that he planned to “take a break” and focus on his health and family before moving toward his next opportunity. SI
Romo’s $180 Million CBS Contract Comes to an Early End
Romo joined CBS in 2017 immediately after retiring from the NFL and quickly became one of the most recognizable analysts in sports broadcasting. His ability to predict plays before the snap and explain quarterback decisions helped turn him into a major television personality.
CBS rewarded that success with the 10-year, $180 million contract in 2020. The agreement was expected to keep Romo with the network through 2030, but the relationship has now ended four years early.
The financial details of the separation may remain private, but the situation is already unusual. CBS has moved forward with Watt in its lead booth, while Romo could still receive a substantial payment from the remaining value of a contract he will no longer perform.
For now, the exact settlement remains undisclosed. What is clear is that Tony Romo’s nine-year CBS career has ended, while his $72 million contractual balance became a major factor in determining how the relationship concluded.
