Tony Romo’s first contract to broadcast NFL games for CBS paid him $3 million a year. He’ll be making a lot more than that going forward.
According to Clay Travis of Outkick the Coverage, bidding for Romo between ESPN and CBS has already surpassed $15 million per year and may approach $20 million before negotiations conclude. This figure would make Romo the highest-paid sports announcer in American history.
Both networks are trying to send a message by signing Romo. ESPN wants to retain its “Monday Night Football” package with better games and get into the Super Bowl rotation. CBS wants to keep Romo, show that they’re committed to the NFL, and does not want to be tasked with finding a new commentator to work next year’s Super Bowl.
CBS has the right to match any offer made to Romo.
We had previously heard that Romo could get between $10 million and $14 million. If this reporting is correct, he has already surpassed that and may well come close to doubling the initial low-end estimate, which is what he originally sought.
The only question is how high the two networks are willing to go before one concedes defeat.
