Tony Romo and CBS Sports part ways after former quarterback's DWI arrest

Tony Romo and CBS Sports have mutually agreed to part ways, ending the former quarterback's nine-year tenure as the network's lead NFL game analyst following his arrest for driving while intoxicated in July.

The network announced the decision on Friday, confirming that Romo will not return to the broadcast booth. J.J. Watt, the former NFL defensive star who filled in when Romo was placed on leave before the start of the current season, will take over the lead analyst role permanently.

"CBS Sports and Tony Romo have mutually agreed to part ways," the network said in a statement. "We thank Tony for his contributions over the past nine years and wish him the best moving forward."

The departure follows an incident on 23 July, when police stopped Romo in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. According to court records, an arresting officer reported a "strong odor of an alcoholic beverage" on Romo's breath. He was taken into custody after performing poorly on field sobriety tests and was later released.

On 1 September, Romo pleaded no contest to the charges. A Wisconsin court ordered his driving privileges revoked for six months, mandated the installation of an ignition interlock device on any vehicle he operates, and ordered him to complete an alcohol assessment programme. He was also fined $784.

In a statement, the 46-year-old former Dallas Cowboys quarterback said he plans to take time away from work to focus on his personal life.

"I'm proud of what I accomplished at CBS Sports over the last nine years," Romo said. "I'm going to use this time to take a break, something I've never done before, and focus on my health and my family before moving on to my next opportunity."

Romo's sudden exit marks a dramatic end to what was one of television's most prominent sports broadcasting careers. After retiring from the NFL, where he spent his entire playing career from 2004 to 2016 with the Dallas Cowboys, Romo bypassed the usual entry-level broadcasting roles to step straight into CBS's marquee booth. His early broadcasting work was highly praised for his uncanny ability to predict plays before they happened, making him an instant hit with viewers.

While his style faced more mixed reviews from critics in recent seasons, he remained the face of the network's NFL coverage until his arrest. CBS has not commented on the financial terms of his exit or whether any portion of his remaining multi-year contract will be paid out.