Thursday, January 9, 2020

Report: Anticipated MNF Shake-up Could Include Tony Romo


With ESPN already starting the process of potentially another major shakeup on “Monday Night Football,” CBS’ Tony Romo is now even better positioned to eclipse John Madden’s game analyst record of $8 million per year in the free-agent market.

And he may blow that number away, reports The NY Post.

With or without Romo, there will be offseason uncertainty in regards to the Monday night booth of Joe Tessitore and Booger McFarland.

Sources have told The Post that longtime “Monday Night Football” producer Jay Rothman will not return next year. The decision to move on from Rothman was made prior to the season. ESPN gave Rothman a new contract at the time. His next role has yet to be announced.

A new producer generally likes to have his or her own people in place.

While ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” ratings were up this season, the telecast still lacks the same big-time feel of the other top broadcast booths.

Meanwhile, ESPN/ABC hope to add a Super Bowl in the upcoming round of new NFL TV deals, and having Romo as its lead analyst is viewed as helpful. The money ESPN might offer could get crazy, with six years and $10 million-plus per year seemingly possible.

CBS remains the favorite to retain Romo, but it has barely any leverage and will be forced to pay a number its executives found unimaginable a year ago. Romo is making a little more than $3 million this year in the final season of what is essentially his rookie broadcast deal.

Romo’s real love, though, is golf more than broadcasting. If Romo stays with CBS, it may have to contractually allow for him to potentially miss some regular-season Sundays as he tries to make cuts in PGA tournaments on Thursdays and Fridays.

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