CBS NFL Analyst Tony Romo Arrested on Suspicion of OWI in Wisconsin
MILWAUKEE — Tony Romo, the high-profile CBS Sports NFL analyst and former longtime Dallas Cowboys quarterback, was arrested Thursday on suspicion of operating a vehicle while under the influence (OWI) in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin. According to authorities, the 44-year-old broadcaster was pulled over by sheriff's deputies while traveling southbound on Interstate 43. Following an initial investigation at the scene, Romo was taken into custody, booked at a local facility, and subsequently released. Under Wisconsin state law, a first-offense OWI is classified as a civil municipal infraction rather than a criminal misdemeanor, meaning Romo does not currently face criminal charges.
The Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office released details of the traffic stop on Friday, noting that Romo’s driving behavior initially drew the attention of patrolling deputies. Upon contacting the driver, deputies reported detecting signs of impairment. According to the official arrest report, Romo was asked to perform standard field sobriety tests, which sheriff's officials noted he "performed poorly." Following his arrest, standard booking procedures were completed without incident before he was processed and released to a responsible party. A spokesperson for the sheriff’s office declined to comment further on Romo's specific blood-alcohol concentration level, citing the ongoing investigation.
Romo, a Wisconsin native who grew up in Burlington and played college football at Eastern Illinois, transitioned to broadcasting immediately after retiring from the Dallas Cowboys in 2017. As the lead color commentator for CBS Sports' NFL coverage alongside play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz, Romo has become one of the most prominent voices in sports media, signing a historic 10-year contract extension in 2020 worth an estimated $17 million annually. CBS Sports has not yet issued a formal public statement regarding the arrest, and representatives for Romo did not immediately respond to requests for comment. It remains unclear how the incident might affect his upcoming broadcast schedule as the NFL season progresses toward the playoffs.
While a first-offense OWI in Wisconsin avoids criminal prosecution, it still carries significant administrative penalties. If found liable for the civil violation, Romo could face a monetary forfeiture, a mandatory driver's safety plan assessment, and a driver’s license revocation lasting between six and nine months. Legal experts note that non-criminal OWI citations in Wisconsin are typically resolved through legal representation without requiring the defendant's personal appearance in court. Nonetheless, the incident places a sudden spotlight on one of television's most recognizable sports personalities during the height of the football broadcasting season.