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Tony Romo situation 'evolving' as CBS chief explains reason behind NFL analyst's banishment CBS Sports President David Berson said Tony Romo's leave status remains unresolved, citing concerns about the network's "image and brand" CBS Sports President David Berson addressed Tony Romo's ongoing suspension from the network on Tuesday during NFL on CBS Media Day, confirming that the analyst remains on indefinite leave with no timetable for a resolution as the 2026 NFL season approaches. "I know there's one topic that's been in the news a lot lately. I know it's on people's minds here, so I'm gonna hit that right out of the gate, and that has to do with Tony Romo being on leave until further notice," Berson told the audience at CBS' corporate headquarters. "I hope you can respect and appreciate that this is a personal matter and a legal one for Tony, so I can't speak to that aspect of things. What I can say is it's an evolving situation, and therefore we're still assessing. There's no timetable or final decision at this time," he said. Meanwhile, Romo is due in court on Sept. 21 after the NFL season has begun. Berson explained that CBS made the decision to move forward with certainty ahead of the season, citing concerns about the network's public perception. "Since it continues to evolve and we're on the eve of the season, I felt it's very important that our team, the many, many hundreds of people who work on the NFL on CBS, have certainty and direction so we can definitively plan and focus on the production and marketing as we kick off the season," Berson said. He continued: "In making this decision, we had to consider the impact on our image and on 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, and I'm really proud of the way everyone's stepping up and responding." J.J. Watt has stepped in alongside Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson as CBS's lead broadcast team in Romo's absence. "They're already knee-deep in planning, and I have every confidence they'll be great," Berson said. Ross Tucker will team up with Watt's usual on-air partner, play-by-play announcer Ian Eagle, until the situation is resolved. Romo, 46, was arrested July 23 in Milwaukee and charged with Operating While Intoxicated, a traffic violation rather than a criminal offense under Wisconsin law, carrying a potential fine of up to $1,568.50. According to a citation reviewed by the New York Post, Romo drove in a marked distress lane during rush hour traffic before cutting across a marked gore area. He told officers he had consumed zero alcoholic beverages and was traveling to visit his grandparents after playing in the Wisconsin Amateur Championship golf tournament, though one officer reported finding an open container of alcohol in his vehicle. Romo performed poorly on field sobriety tests and was subsequently cited for refusing to take an intoxication test following his arrest. "I've heard from all the lawyers don't ever do that," Romo told officers on recorded footage. "So, we're not going to do that." CBS placed Romo on leave on July 31 after further details of the arrest became public. He remains owed approximately $72 million over the next four years under his 10-year, $180 million contract signed in 2020.