CBS Sports president puts pressure on Tony Romo ahead of Super Bowl LVIII broadcast

Tony Romo never had the chance to play in a Super Bowl during his 13-year career with the Dallas Cowboys. Yet, just two years into his broadcasting career, the lead color analyst for CBS Sports was put in a position to call Super Bowl LIII.

Back then, Romo was widely praised, earning respect for somehow accurately predicting plays before they happened while maintaining a loose style. This led to Romo being the highest-paid NFL analyst in TV history at the time of his contract.

Yet, he’s also drawn criticism from some as of late, with CBS even reportedly expressing their concerns that his work has declined in recent years by staging what’s been referred to as an ‘intervention.’ Now, Romo’s set to be on the big stage again, with CBS Sports getting the call for Super Bowl Sunday.

President of CBS Sports calls Super Bowl 58 an ‘important game’ for Tony Romo

Tony Romo has been a sports broadcaster for seven years, but Sunday’s Super Bowl could be the biggest game of his post-playing career.

While Romo has faced criticism, CBS Sports president Sean McManus says he feels a lot of it is “undeserved,” yet he did acknowledge that Sunday will be an “important game” for the retired QB turned broadcaster.

“I do believe that because of some of the criticism, most of which I think is undeserved … I think it’s an important game for him no matter what.”
CBS Sports president Sean McManus on Tony Romo

Some of what makes Romo good at his job is that he gets really involved, almost too involved, but CBS has spoken to him about that too.

“I think if people really listen to Tony, and he’s not your meat-and-potatoes analyst. He’s more of a fan. He gets excited. We sometimes say to him, ‘Hey, calm down a little bit because you do get too into the game,’ which I think is a plus. But I think generally speaking, people really enjoy listening to Nantz and Romo and Tracy [Wolfson].”

With Romo preparing to call the second Super Bowl of his TV career, there’s no doubt Sunday’s matchup will be an important game. As others like Tom Brady step into the booth, along with Greg Olsen becoming a free agent after losing his spot to the retired QB, the pressure will only increase for Romo too.