Tony Romo gave up playing in the NFL three years ago, but the former Dallas Cowboys star could still be the most sought-after free agent on the market following the 2019 season.
Romo’s three-year deal with CBS is set to expire after the season, and his representatives have been negotiating a new contract with the network. Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports reported on Thursday that the negotiations have “stalled with little progress” in recent weeks, and that could be because Romo is seeking an astronomical payday.
According to McCarthy, Romo is looking for a contract worth $10 million per year. He makes roughly $4 million under his current deal with CBS, which is the first one he signed after retiring from football to pursue a career in broadcasting. If CBS ends up giving Romo $10 million per year, he would become the highest-paid sports analyst of all time. John Madden currently tops the list, as he reportedly was making $8 million per year when he was still working in the booth.
For reference, Troy Aikman currently makes around $7.5 million per year from FOX. Jon Gruden’s salary with ESPN was somewhere in the $6 million range before he decided to return as the head coach of the Oakland Raiders.
Industry experts would not be surprised to see Romo get the eight-figure payday he is seeking. He has enjoyed tremendous success with CBS, and ex-ESPN executive John Kosner predicts he will get the money from another network if CBS doesn’t give it to him.
“He is a reason to watch. His chemistry with another exceptional talent, Jim Nantz, is special and unique as well,” Kosner said. “If CBS were to pass, someone else would meet his number.”
CBS seems highly unlikely to pass, as all indications have been that the network intends to do everything necessary to keep Romo. The 39-year-old should only get better with each season, and he has already entertained fans with his uncanny ability to diagnose plays before they happen. It would be a shock if CBS let him walk away.
