# Tony Romo pleads no contest to OWI charge > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/tony-romo-owi-arrest > Updated: 2026-09-04T17:55:46.000Z. Sources: 161. Developments: 15. On August 31, 2026, Tony Romo pleaded no contest to an operating while intoxicated charge stemming from his July 23 arrest during a traffic stop on Interstate 43 in Milwaukee County. Court records indicate Romo’s blood-alcohol concentration was 0.15, nearly twice the state’s legal limit of 0.08. As part of the legal resolution, Romo has lost his driving privileges for six months and must complete an alcohol assessment program. He is also required to install an interlock device in any vehicle he operates or owns for at least one year following the reinstatement of his license. He was ordered to pay $834 in related costs. Under the terms of the plea deal, prosecutors agreed to drop other citations, including possession of open intoxicants and refusal to take an intoxication test. However, the agreement includes a provision requiring a mandatory jail sentence if Romo is convicted of another OWI-related offense within the next 10 years. Romo released a statement via Instagram taking full responsibility, attributing his alcohol use to managing debilitating pain following multiple back surgeries. He explained that a dependence on pain medication eventually transitioned into an over-reliance on alcohol as he attempted to wean himself off the medication. He stated, “None of this is an excuse. These are my failures, and I take responsibility for them.” He noted he is working with medical professionals to address these health issues. While CBS Sports previously placed Romo on indefinite leave to protect the network’s brand, the network has tapped JJ Watt to fill his role in the broadcast booth. A representative for the analyst indicated that discussions regarding his potential return to the broadcast booth are ongoing. This follows earlier reports that CBS and Paramount were evaluating whether the incident triggered a morals clause in his $180 million contract. ## Claims - Tony Romo was arrested in Milwaukee on July 23, 2026 on suspicion of operating while intoxicated (OWI). (disputed by 19 sources) - Tony Romo was arrested on July 23, 2024 in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin on suspicion of operating while intoxicated. (disputed by 10 sources) - Romo is scheduled to appear in Milwaukee court on September 21 2026. (disputed by 8 sources) - Romo's court appearance is scheduled for September 21, 2024. (disputed by 3 sources) - Romo was issued an open‑container citation with a $267 fine. (corroborated by 10 sources) - Romo repeatedly requested to call his attorney before field‑sobriety testing. (corroborated by 9 sources) - Romo failed multiple parts of the field‑sobriety test. (corroborated by 9 sources) - CBS Sports placed Tony Romo on leave “until further notice.” (corroborated by 9 sources) - J.J. Watt will join Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson as CBS’s lead NFL broadcast team during Romo’s absence. (corroborated by 9 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-04: Tony Romo pleads no contest to OWI charge in Wisconsin Tony Romo pleaded no contest to an OWI charge in Wisconsin. His plea deal includes fines, license revocation, and a mandatory jail sentence provision for any future OWI offenses within 10 years. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tony-romo-pleads-no-contest-to-owi-charge-in-wisconsin-1 ### 2026-09-02: Tony Romo pleads no contest to OWI charge in Wisconsin Tony Romo pleaded no contest to an OWI charge in Wisconsin after recording a 0.15 blood-alcohol level. He faces a six-month license revocation and is currently on indefinite leave from CBS Sports. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tony-romo-pleads-no-contest-to-owi-charge-in-wisconsin ### 2026-08-31: Tony Romo pleads no contest to OWI charge in Wisconsin CBS NFL analyst Tony Romo pleaded no contest to an operating while intoxicated charge in Wisconsin, citing chronic pain and medication dependence as factors. He faces a six-month license revocation. 26 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tony-romo-pleads-no-contest-to-owi-charge-following-wisconsin-arrest ### 2026-08-28: Tony Romo faces three new citations following Wisconsin OWI arrest CBS Sports analyst Tony Romo faces three new citations—including OWI and possession of open intoxicants—following his July arrest in Wisconsin. He remains on indefinite leave from NFL broadcasts. 21 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tony-romo-receives-three-citations-following-owi-arrest ### 2026-08-23: CBS Sports updates NFL broadcast lineup with Russell Wilson and J. J. Watt Russell Wilson has joined CBS’s ‘The NFL Today’ following his NFL retirement. The move comes amid roster shifts, including Tony Romo’s indefinite leave following an arrest and the addition of J. J. Watt. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cbs-sports-updates-nfl-broadcast-lineup-with-russell-wilson-and-j-j-watt ### 2026-08-13: Tony Romo's future at CBS Sports uncertain following arrest CBS Sports has placed lead NFL analyst Tony Romo on indefinite leave following an arrest for operating a vehicle while intoxicated. J. J. Watt will temporarily partner with Jim Nantz. 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tony-romos-future-at-cbs-sports-uncertain-following-arrest ### 2026-08-11: CBS Sports uncertain of Tony Romo's future following arrest CBS Sports has no timeline for a decision on lead NFL analyst Tony Romo's future following his arrest in Wisconsin for suspected driving under the influence. J. J. Watt will fill his role. 26 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cbs-sports-uncertain-of-tony-romos-return-following-dui-arrest ### 2026-08-07: Tony Romo's OWI Arrest Puts CBS NFL Broadcast Role in Question Tony Romo was arrested for OWI in Wisconsin, placed on indefinite leave from CBS’s lead NFL broadcast booth, and his future with the network is uncertain as CBS reviews his contract. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tony-romos-owi-arrest-puts-cbs-nfl-broadcast-role-in-question ### 2026-08-05: CBS Considers Replacing Tony Romo After OWI Arrest Tony Romo was arrested for OWI and placed on leave by CBS, which is now weighing replacements such as Greg Olsen and J.J. Watt while testing a new Nantz‑Watt pairing. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cbs-considers-replacing-tony-romo-after-owi-arrest ### 2026-08-03: Jerry Jones backs Tony Romo after Wisconsin OWI arrest Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones defended former quarterback Tony Romo after his July 23 Wisconsin OWI arrest, praising his character and saying he will work through the incident while CBS placed Romo on leave. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/jerry-jones-backs-tony-romo-after-wisconsin-owi-arrest ### 2026-07-31: Tony Romo suspended by CBS Sports after DUI arrest Tony Romo was arrested for suspected DUI in Wisconsin; CBS placed him on leave and named J.J. Watt as his replacement on the NFL broadcast team. 13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cbs-places-tony-romo-on-leave-after-milwaukee-owi-arrest ### 2026-07-29: Tony Romo Placed on Indefinite Leave by CBS After Wisconsin OWI Arrest Tony Romo was arrested for OWI in Milwaukee on July 23, 2024, cited for multiple offenses and set for a Sept 21 court date. CBS placed him on indefinite leave, with J.J. Watt filling his broadcast role. 57 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tony-romo-arrested-in-milwaukee-on-owi-charge-and-opencontainer-citation ### 2026-07-27: Tony Romo withdraws from Texas State Open after OWI arrest Tony Romo was arrested for OWI in Milwaukee and withdrew from the Texas State Open, canceling his appearance; his court date is set for Sept. 21. 21 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tony-romo-withdraws-from-texas-state-open-after-owi-arrest ### 2026-07-25: Tony Romo arrested for OWI in Milwaukee Former Cowboys QB and CBS analyst Tony Romo was arrested for OWI in Milwaukee on July 23 after being stopped on I‑43, later released and faces a court date on Sept. 21. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tony-romo-arrested-for-owi-in-milwaukee ### 2026-07-23: Tony Romo arrested in Wisconsin on OWI charge Tony Romo was arrested in Milwaukee on a first‑offense OWI after failing sobriety tests; he was released and has a court date set for Sept 21, 2026. 50 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tony-romo-arrested-in-wisconsin-on-alleged-owi-charge --- Cite as: Tony Romo pleads no contest to OWI charge. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/tony-romo-owi-arrest