NEW YORK — CBS Sports is still “assessing” the Tony Romo situation, with no timetable set for his return.
That was the word from CBS Sports president and CEO David Berson at the network’s annual talent press conference previewing the new NFL season. CBS put Romo on indefinite leave after his OWI arrest in his home state of Wisconsin in July. The 46-year-old Romo is due in court Sept. 21.
The former Cowboys quarterback, who’s entering his 10th season as CBS’s No. 1 game analyst, was not present at Tuesday’s press conference.
J.J. Watt, CBS’s No. 2 game analyst, will replace Romo on the No. 1 team with play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz and sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson. Meanwhile, CBS announced Tuesday that Ross Tucker will serve as the game analyst alongside play-by-play announcer Ian Eagle on its No. 2 team while Watt fills in for Romo.
Watt was in attendance Tuesday along with Nantz, Wolfson, and new CBS hires Russell Wilson and Kyle Long.
“I hope you can respect and appreciate this is a personnel matter, and a legal one for Tony. So I can’t speak to that aspect. But I can say this is an evolving situation. Therefore, we’re still assessing,” Berson said at the press conference. “There’s no timetable or final decision at this time. Since it continues to evolve, and we’re on the eve of the season, I felt it was very important that our team, the many, many people who work on the NFL on CBS, have certainty and direction so we can definitively plan.
“In making this decision, we had to consider the impact on our image and our brand. That’s very important to us. Whether the games, marketing, PR, social, the focus should be—and needs to be—on our presentation and this great product and not on any other factors. Fortunately, we have a very deep bench. I’m very proud of the way everybody is stepping up and responding. As you know, J.J. will join Jim and Tracy as the lead team in Tony’s absence. They are already knee-deep in planning. I have every confidence they’ll be great.”
After his prepared remarks, Berson told Front Office Sports he’s been in touch with Romo. He preferred not to “divulge” their private conversation, he said.
CBS, the NFL’s long-tenured media partner at 67 years, kicks off its new regular-season coverage Sept. 13. Last year, it scored what Nantz proudly called the “triple crown” by nailing the most-watched game package, most-watched game window, and most-watched regular-season game among the league’s multiple media partners.
