Does the broadcaster make the broadcast successful? Does Tony Romo, Greg Olsen, or Tom Brady draw additional eyeballs to the television? It depends on who you ask.
I’ve never believed the average fan tunes in to hear an analyst break down a game in real time. That’s what sports radio, podcasts, and daytime ESPN shows are for. I don’t know a single fan who praises Brady’s explanation of throwing into the wind. Nor do I see anyone obsess over Mark Schlereth’s telestrator skills. Most fans remember plays, moments, and outcomes—not who called them.
After CBS Sports’ broadcast of the Buffalo Bills’ win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, many in sports media are calling for Romo to be demoted. It wasn’t his best game, but was it really bad enough for CBS to reconsider their top analyst?
We all have our own individual preferences when it comes to the broadcasters we enjoy. Some like insights into the athlete’s mindset, and others like the element of a fan in the booth. That’s why local broadcasters thrive—the play-by-play voice with hometown bias, the former player offering a slanted take..
National broadcasts are different. In the NFL, there are production meetings, player/coach interviews, stat crews, and graphics teams. Broadcasters navigate a prepared game plan to enhance the viewing experience. Since 2017, Jim Nantz and Tony Romo have been those voices for CBS.
In the beginning, Romo was elevated to the top team immediately. Paired with Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson. The eyes of the nation seeing on how the 17-year veteran of the Dallas Cowboys would perform. After three seasons, Romo earned enough praise from media and CBS Sports executives to be awarded a ten-year contract worth a reported $18 million per season.
It set a new standard. Romo’s enthusiasm and insight were unique to the time. He became the shiny object sports media critics adored.
Now it’s 2026. Romo’s favorability in sports media has declined. He’s no longer the fresh face but more of the grizzled veteran. His predictability has wavered over time, and his enthusiasm has diminished. He seems more confused than knowledgeable. There is a sense that he plays to big names, as his depth of knowledge has suffered.
This is just a sampling of the complaints about Romo have been this season.
This past weekend, Romo compared the double-digit underdog Carolina Panthers to the favored Jacksonville Jaguars. Oh, the humanity that comparison! Romo also felt that something was going on with the officials on a second-half Josh Allen rushing touchdown—even though nothing was. What a fool!
For reference, CBS Sports NFL ratings speak for themselves. This season, the NFL on CBS is the top-rated show, averaging 25.8 million viewers—the third straight year. Thanksgiving’s Nantz-Romo broadcast drew 57.2 million, the most-watched regular-season game ever.
Should Jim Nantz and Tony Romo get credit for that? Does Tony Romo get blame if the number isn’t high enough?
Fans watch the game itself. Entertainment comes from the competition, not the commentary. Other sports programming relies on analysts because there’s no live contest creating drama.
There’s no reason why CBS Sports would take their $18 million man from the top booth in football and replace him with another name. For as much noise as some create over microscopic elements of a broadcaster, business is good with that broadcaster in the booth.
Yes, first-year analyst J.J. Watt has impressed many. But would his elevation to the top spot make a better broadcast? Would it increase viewership and escalate the amount of revenue CBS Sports could make on broadcasts?
For all the noise and clamoring from sports media about Romo’s work on the call, there’s only one entity he broadcasts for. If CBS Sports truly feels a change is needed, they will make it. However, ratings and revenues are not declining. Romo’s squeaky-clean image is still intact. Sure, he doesn’t make the rounds on talk shows like others, but he doesn’t need to.
At the end of the day, fans watch football, not a lecture on mechanics. Romo’s take might spark debate, but it’s the game that keeps eyes glued to the screen.
Critics will always have something to say—but 25 million viewers every week suggest CBS is doing just fine. Maybe football fans can overlook a non-perfect analyst when some sitting by a keyboard cannot.
Tony Romo may not be perfect, but he’s exactly what the top booth was meant to deliver: football, fun, and a viewing experience shared by all of us on gameday.
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John Mamola is Barrett Media’s sports editor and daily sports columnist. He brings over two decades of experience (Chicago, Tampa/St Petersburg) in the broadcast industry with expertise in brand management, sales, promotions, producing, imaging, hosting, talent coaching, talent development, web development, social media strategy and design, video production, creative writing, partnership building, communication/networking with a long track record of growth and success. He is a five-time recognized top 20 program director in a major market via Barrett Medi’s Top 20 series and has been honored internally multiple times as station/brand of the year (Tampa, FL) and employee of the month (Tampa, FL) by iHeartMedia. Connect with John by email at John@BarrettMedia.com.
Would Romo’s demotion make the broadcast better? Yes, absolutely!! The best analysts are Greg Olsen, JJ Watt and Moose Johnston. Best PBP is hands-down Ian Eagle. His son, Noah is coming along nicely too.