The former Cowboys QB is being courted by a new broadcast team with a contract that would make him the highest-paid sportscaster in history.
As the quarterback of America’s Team, Tony Romo was a polarizing figure, to say the least. Even die-hard Cowboys fans often found themselves divided. One moment he was the cocksure, tough-as-nails, wisecracking, gunslinging magician who could pull a rabbit out of his hat on any given snap. The next, he was accused of trying to do too much, called physically fragile, and being labeled a choker when it mattered the most.
As a broadcaster, though, Romo is almost universally regarded as among the very best, even after just three seasons in the booth. His relaxed and conversational style is uniquely welcoming, and he has shown a knack for breaking down Xs and Os in a way that engages both hardcore football nerds and casual observers. His uncanny forecasting of what’s about to happen on the field has become a calling card. And now, just like a player at the top of his game, Romo has captured the attention of rival organizations who are willing to offer major money for him to switch teams.
In a story first reported by Front Office Sports’ Michael McCarthy (no relation to the new Cowboys coach), ESPN is “preparing an offer” that would make Romo the highest-paid sportscaster in television history.
The 39-year-old Romo is believed to be currently making $3-4 million a year as the lead color analyst for CBS, with a contract that is about to expire. ESPN is reportedly offering Romo between $10 million and $14 million annually.
It’s a quantum leap in pay and an unprecedented salary for a sportscaster. To put that number in perspective, no football broadcaster has ever pulled down more than $8 million a year. And that was John Madden.
Neither ESPN nor Romo has commented at the time of this writing. It is widely assumed that The Worldwide Leader is eyeing Romo for the color analyst job on Monday Night Football, although they may have other plans in the long-term. ESPN’s parent company Disney could well take a run at one of the NFL packages belonging to CBS, NBC, or Fox when television rights are again up for bid in 2020-2021.
Adding to the intrigue is a nugget dropped from NFL insider Adam Schefter.
The report specifies that it was a “non-ESPN” network asking about putting Brees in the booth. Could that network be CBS, already preparing for a possible exit by Romo by lining up someone with many of the same qualities and traits to be his replacement?
Romo’s addition to the MNF crew would lend instant credibility to a franchise that has flagged badly in recent years. Cowboys tight end Jason Witten, Romo’s former teammate, lasted just one year in the ESPN booth before returning to the field; he was never the broadcasting natural that Romo has shown to be. Booger McFarland did not improve when the network moved him from his sideline spot to the analyst role; he is lambasted every single week for his insipid ramblings spouted as if they are kernels of rare wisdom. Play-by-play man Joe Tessitore tries way too hard to pump up bad matchups, yelling, “OUTRAGEOUS!!” at the most routine plays in the middle of the game. One can only guess that signing an analyst of Romo’s stature would immediately require the ouster of one or both men from the Monday Night booth.
Part of Romo’s easy segue to working behind the mic has come from his pairing at CBS with his good friend Jim Nantz. The two have a real rapport that comes across on the air, with Nantz generally playing the straight man and calling the action while setting Romo up with opportunities to share his football insight and Everyfan enthusiasm. Nantz has gone on record saying that he hopes to continue working alongside Romo “for a generation of games,” but even the easygoing Romo may not be able to turn down a new contract that triples his current salary.
He may want to consider doing just that, though. As Alex Reimer of Forbes astutely points out, there are some compelling reasons for Romo to stay put. Consider the schedule, for one. At CBS, Romo is in the booth for the network’s marquee game every single Sunday. The MNF schedule is set far in advance and cannot be flexed to avoid awful teams or boring matchups.
Also, look at the numbers. Ratings are what it’s all about in television, and CBS trounces ESPN when it comes to viewership. Would Romo have catapulted to the top of the broadcast heap if he hadn’t been on one of the big-boy networks? Would the endorsement deals with Corona, Skechers, and Ralph Lauren still have come?
Finally, think about the workload. ESPN goes 24/7 and across numerous platforms; that’s a lot of airtime to fill. It’s hard to imagine the executives in Bristol wouldn’t expect a superstar like Romo- who famously dabbles in pro-am golf during the offseason- to start doing a lot more than three hours of afternoon TV a week for the exorbitant amount of money being discussed.
Romo probably should be the highest-paid broadcaster in the game, but CBS has the right to match any new offer he gets. Romo could still score an exponential pay raise and not have to put in any more hours or develop chemistry with a new partner, while always getting the best game of the week to share with the biggest audience.
Sunday’s AFC Championship Game between Tennessee and Kansas City will be the final game of Romo’s current contract. And then the longtime Cowboys quarterback will have to call an audible on the next chapter of his career.
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