Tony Romo Cowboys legend turned highest-paid NFL broadcaster. Explore his age, $80M net worth, wife Candice Crawford, sons, CBS deal & latest news in 2026.
Tony Romo is one of the most fascinating second-act stories in American sports. The former Dallas Cowboys quarterback who went undrafted in 2003 has become the highest-paid sports broadcaster in television history — earning $17–18 million a year with CBS — and remains one of the most recognizable faces in NFL media. Born on April 21, 1980, in San Diego, California, and raised in Burlington, Wisconsin, Romo spent 14 years as the Cowboys’ franchise quarterback before reinventing himself behind the microphone with equally dazzling results.
His ability to call plays before they happen — a signature skill that made his debut broadcast season feel almost supernatural — turned him from “former quarterback” into a genuine broadcasting star almost overnight. His journey from undrafted afterthought to NFL record-holder to network marquee name is, by any measure, extraordinary.
Quick Facts About Tony Romo
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Antonio Ramiro Romo |
| Date of Birth | April 21, 1980 |
| Age | 46 (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | San Diego, California, USA |
| Raised In | Burlington, Wisconsin |
| Profession | Former NFL Quarterback; CBS Sports Lead Analyst |
| Net Worth | Approx. $80 million (2025–26) |
| Spouse | Candice Crawford (m. May 2011) |
| Children | Hawkins, Rivers, Jones |
| Education | Eastern Illinois University |
| Famous For | Dallas Cowboys franchise records; $180M CBS broadcasting contract |
A Midwestern Childhood and a Late Start in Football
Tony Romo grew up in Burlington, Wisconsin, a small city southeast of Milwaukee, in a household where sports were a constant. His childhood idol was Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre, who was visible on TV every week and seemed to embody exactly the kind of improvising, competitive quarterback Romo would eventually become. Interestingly, Romo was not a football-first kid. He excelled in baseball, golf, and basketball before turning serious attention to the gridiron in high school — and didn’t become his team’s starting quarterback until his junior year.
His late development as a football player makes what followed all the more remarkable. Nobody was packaging Romo as a generational talent coming out of Burlington High School, and no major college program came calling. That lack of recruiting attention wound up shaping the resilience that would define him.
Eastern Illinois and the Walter Payton Award
Romo enrolled at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois — a Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) school far from the college football spotlight. He quickly made it his own. He was named Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year three consecutive times, from 2000 through 2002, and in 2002 won the Walter Payton Award, the FCS equivalent of the Heisman Trophy.
Despite those accolades, NFL teams passed on him entirely in the 2003 draft. The Cowboys signed him as an undrafted free agent for just $10,000. Romo was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2021 — a recognition of just how dominant he was at the FCS level, even if the NFL initially took no notice.
The Dallas Cowboys Career: Undrafted to Franchise Quarterback
Romo joined the Cowboys in 2003 and spent his first few seasons as a backup and holder for kicker Billy Cundiff, learning the system and waiting for his moment. That moment came in 2006 when he replaced Drew Bledsoe as the starting quarterback mid-season and immediately caught fire. The Cowboys made the playoffs that year, and Romo’s ability to improvise under pressure made him a fan favorite almost instantly.
He was brilliant in the regular season. Over his 14-year career, he compiled a 65.3 completion percentage, 34,183 passing yards, and 248 touchdown passes — all Dallas Cowboys franchise records that still stand. His career passer rating of 97.1 ranked among the all-time best at the time of his retirement. He made four Pro Bowl rosters and, in 2007, signed a six-year, $67.5 million contract extension that underscored his standing as one of the league’s premier quarterbacks.
However, Romo’s Cowboys tenure became equally defined by postseason frustration. Dallas never won a playoff game with him as the starter, and a string of high-profile fourth-quarter collapses — including a fumbled snap on a potential game-winning field goal in the 2006 Wild Card game against Seattle — cemented a complicated legacy. He missed significant time due to injuries in 2010, 2015, and 2016. After Dak Prescott emerged as the Cowboys’ starting quarterback in 2016, Romo’s time in Dallas came to a graceful close. He announced his retirement in April 2017, declining to sign with another team.
From QB to Broadcast Phenomenon
Romo’s transition to broadcasting was one of the smoothest and most celebrated in NFL television history. CBS hired him immediately after his retirement, pairing him with veteran play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz and sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson to form the network’s number-one broadcast team. His debut season drew immediate rave reviews. His habit of correctly predicting offensive plays — before the snap — became a talking point across sports media within weeks. It felt less like broadcasting and more like watching someone read the game in real time.
He called Super Bowl LIII in 2019, Super Bowl LV in 2021, and Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas in 2024 — three of the biggest stages in American sports television. In February 2020, CBS locked him in with a ten-year, $180 million contract extension running through the 2030 season, making him the highest-paid sports broadcaster in media history. His annual salary of approximately $17–18 million surpasses every other analyst on every major sports network.
In more recent seasons, his commentary has drawn some criticism — with fans occasionally calling for changes — but CBS has remained firmly in his corner. In January 2026, a CBS Sports source told Front Office Sports: “It’s much ado about nothing,” and the network confirmed his spot on the number-one crew going into the 2026 season.
Personal Life: Candice Crawford and Family in Dallas
Romo met Candice Crawford in 2009. Crawford was a former Miss Missouri USA winner and a television sports reporter and anchor for Dallas station KDAF — and also the sister of actor Chace Crawford, best known for Gossip Girl and The Boys. The two married on May 28, 2011, in Dallas, Texas. They have three sons together: Hawkins, Rivers, and Jones, ranging in age from approximately 8 to 14 years old as of 2026. The family lives in the Dallas–Fort Worth area in Texas.
Candice Crawford has largely stepped back from public life since their marriage, noting she prefers to keep a low profile. She has spoken warmly about Tony as a father and husband, describing how she intentionally avoids sports media to keep their home life separate from the swirl of public opinion around him.
Golf Passion and the 2026 OWI Arrest
Romo has long been an avid and accomplished golfer. He has won the American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe three times, and is considered a scratch golfer — a skill level that has prompted speculation he could eventually pursue professional senior golf. He has also hosted a youth football camp in Burlington every year since 2004, maintaining deep ties to his Wisconsin roots.
On July 23, 2026, Romo was arrested in Milwaukee County on suspicion of operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OWI), a first offense under Wisconsin law. He had been in the area competing in the Wisconsin State Amateur Golf Championship. According to the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Department, he was stopped while traveling southbound on Interstate 43 and performed poorly on field sobriety tests. He was released later that evening. Under Wisconsin statute, a first-time OWI is treated as a civil citation rather than a criminal offense, with fines ranging from $150 to $300. A court date has been set for September 2026. The incident had not yet affected his CBS contract status at the time of writing.
Net Worth and Financial Legacy
Tony Romo’s net worth is estimated at approximately $80 million as of 2026. He earned over $127 million in NFL salary across his 14 seasons with Dallas — more cumulative earnings than any other undrafted player in NFL history. His CBS contract, worth $180 million over 10 years, now generates more annual income than his football salary ever did. He has also earned from endorsement deals over the years with brands including Under Armour, Pepsi, DirectTV, and Pizza Hut, and has contributed to charitable causes including the Make-A-Wish Foundation and United Way.
In Summary
Tony Romo has turned two entirely different careers — one on the field, one behind the microphone — into back-to-back successes that very few athletes ever manage. He holds the Dallas Cowboys’ all-time records for passing yards and touchdowns. He holds the record for the most expensive sports broadcasting contract ever signed.
The postseason wins never came in Dallas. But Romo’s overall story is one of relentless reinvention — the undrafted free agent who outearned every drafted player in NFL history, then went on to outpay every sports broadcaster in television history. Not a bad run for a guy from Burlington, Wisconsin.
At 46, with a CBS deal through 2030 and a golf game good enough to turn professional, Romo still has more chapters to write.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Who is Tony Romo?
Tony Romo, born April 21, 1980, is a former NFL quarterback who played 14 seasons for the Dallas Cowboys before becoming the lead NFL analyst for CBS Sports. He holds the Cowboys’ all-time records for passing yards (34,183) and touchdown passes (248) and is currently the highest-paid sports broadcaster in history.
Q2: What is Tony Romo’s net worth?
Tony Romo’s net worth is estimated at approximately $80 million as of 2026. He earned over $127 million in NFL salary and secured a $180 million, ten-year broadcasting deal with CBS in 2020, worth roughly $17–18 million per year.
Q3: Who is Tony Romo’s wife?
Tony Romo married Candice Crawford on May 28, 2011. Crawford is a former Miss Missouri USA winner and television sports reporter, and she is the sister of actor Chace Crawford. The couple has three sons — Hawkins, Rivers, and Jones — and lives in the Dallas–Fort Worth area.
Q4: Why did Tony Romo leave the Dallas Cowboys?
Romo retired from the Cowboys in April 2017 after losing the starting quarterback job to rookie Dak Prescott during the 2016 season. Rather than sign with another NFL team, he chose retirement and immediately transitioned into broadcasting with CBS.
Q5: What is Tony Romo’s CBS contract worth?
In February 2020, Romo signed a ten-year contract with CBS Sports worth $180 million, running through the 2030 season. The deal pays him approximately $17–18 million per year and makes him the highest-paid sports broadcaster in the history of American television.
Q6: Was Tony Romo arrested in 2026?
Yes. On July 23, 2026, Romo was arrested in Milwaukee County on suspicion of operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OWI), a first offense. He had been in Wisconsin for the State Amateur Golf Championship. Under Wisconsin law, a first-time OWI is a civil citation, not a criminal charge. His court date is scheduled for September 2026.
Q7: Is Tony Romo in the Hall of Fame?
Tony Romo was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2021 in recognition of his record-setting career at Eastern Illinois University. As of 2026, he has not been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, though his NFL career numbers — including a 97.1 passer rating and 248 touchdown passes — keep the conversation open.