As CBS cites legal concerns and brand integrity following Tony Romo's arrest, J.J. Watt steps into the broadcast booth, leaving the former Cowboys star’s career in limbo.
This week’s CBS NFL season preview press conference was - unfortunately for the network’s top analyst, Tony Romo - very much about his absence.
In the football world - as it relates to Romo's former Dallas Cowboys team - this is a time for "bubble trouble.'' Who might lose their jobs? Who's going to get cut?
That's normal.
What's going on with Romo? It's not normal.
During the media session, which is usually about the network selling to the public the greatness of its lineup, CBS Sports president David Berson addressed the touchy and troubling issue.
“I know there’s one topic that’s been in the news a lot lately,” Berson said, via multiple reports. “I know it’s on people’s minds here, so I’m gonna hit that right out of the gate, and that has to do with Tony Romo being on leave until further notice.
"I hope you can respect and appreciate that this is a personnel matter and a legal one for Tony, so I can’t speak to that aspect of things. What I can say is it’s an evolving situation, and therefore we’re still assessing.''
If that sounds ominous to you, the reader and viewer?
It should.
“There’s no timetable or final decision at this time,'' Berson continued. "Since it continues to evolve and we’re on the eve of the season, I felt it’s very important that our team, the many, many hundreds of people who work on the NFL on CBS, have certainty and direction so we can definitively plan and focus on the production and marketing as we kick off the season.
"In making this decision, we had to consider the impact on our image and on our brand. That’s very important to us. Whether the games, marketing, P.R., social, the focus should be and needs to be on our presentation and this great product and not on any other factors.''
What Berson is saying here is meant to be a key hint to how CBS might eventually react to the news that Romo was recently arrested in his native Wisconsin for allegedly driving under the influence.
"Our image.''
"Our brand.''
"Our focus.''
Again ... ominous.
Romo, 46, is under contract with CBS at $20 million per year. His alleged foible could in theory fuel a network decision to fire him ... an idea that could come in conjuction with the persistent rumors that CBS has recently been unhappy with his work ethic.
And the more Berson talked, the more it sounds to some like he and CBS are ready to turn the page.
Said the exec: “Fortunately, we have a very deep bench, and I’m really proud of the way everyone’s stepping up and responding. As you know, J.J. [Watt] will join Jim [Nantz] and Tracy [Wolfson] as our lead team in Tony’s absence. They’re already knee-deep in planning, and I have every confidence they’ll be great.”
There is speculation that the deeper context of Berson’s comments suggests that Watt's elevation is meant to be permanent.
Does that mean a full-season absence for Romo while he works through his issue? Does that mean a demotion from the network's first team? Does it mean Romo’s days at CBS are numbered?
All of the potential answers bring us back to one word: Ominous.
