Entertainment
Tony Romo pleads no contest to Wisconsin impaired driving charge
The former NFL quarterback and CBS analyst received a six-month license suspension and stated he is addressing alcohol reliance following a July arrest.
The short version
- Tony Romo entered a no-contest plea to a civil operating while intoxicated citation resulting from a July traffic stop in Milwaukee.
- Court penalties include a six-month driver's license suspension, a fine, mandatory alcohol assessment, and an ignition interlock device requirement.
- CBS Sports has placed Romo on leave and appointed JJ Watt to fill his spot on the primary NFL broadcast team.
- Romo stated he hopes to eventually return to broadcasting while working with doctors, though CBS has not set a timeline for his return.
Key facts
- Tony Romo pleaded no contest in Wisconsin to a civil charge of operating while intoxicated stemming from a July 2026 arrest on Interstate 43 near Milwaukee.[Fox News · The Guardian · Associated Press · NBC News · The Hollywood Reporter · CBS News · Variety]
- Milwaukee County court records mandate a six-month suspension of Romo's driving privileges, an alcohol assessment program, an ignition interlock device installation, and a fine.[Fox News · The Guardian · Associated Press · The Hollywood Reporter]
- Romo issued a statement taking full responsibility and stating that chronic back pain after football surgeries led to a pain medication dependence and subsequent alcohol reliance.[Fox News · The Guardian · Associated Press · NBC News · The Hollywood Reporter · CBS News · Variety]
- CBS Sports placed Romo on leave following his arrest and assigned JJ Watt to work alongside Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson starting September 13.[The Guardian · Associated Press · NBC News · The Hollywood Reporter · CBS News · Variety]
What remains uncertain
- Whether or when Romo will return to CBS Sports remains uncertain, as CBS Sports president David Berson stated the network has no timeline while it assesses the situation.[The Guardian · NBC News · CBS News · Variety]
- Discrepancies exist across court reports regarding the exact fine amount, with reports citing figures between $748, $784, and $834.[Fox News · The Guardian · Associated Press · NBC News]
Sources
- Tony Romo Suggests He’d Like to Return to CBS’ NFL Coverage After No Contest PleaVariety metered
- Tony Romo Pleads No Contest to DWI Charge, Says He’s Seeking Help for Alcohol UseThe Hollywood Reporter metered
- Tony Romo pleads no contest to Wisconsin operating while intoxicated chargeCBS News - Top Stories
- Former NFL star Tony Romo given driving ban and vows to ‘own my mistakes’ after OWI arrestThe Guardian - US
- Tony Romo opens up about pain medication and alcohol dependence after pleading no contest to Wisconsin OWIFox News
- Tony Romo admits to ‘over-reliance on alcohol’ after pleading no contest to impaired drivingNBC News - Top Stories
- Tony Romo pleads no contest to charge of operating while intoxicated and issues statement of apologyAssociated Press