"Doesn’t seem like he’s into it" - Tony Romo has lost passion for broadcasting, claims former NBC boss
Very few former players have stepped into the broadcasting world the way Tony Romo has done. The former Dallas Cowboys quarterback hit the ground running with Jim Nantz on CBS. He quickly developed into one of the best commentators in the circuit.
However, that doesn't appear to be the case anymore, with the 42-year-old now thought to be "not into it."
Dick Ebersol, the former boss of NBC Sports, sat down for a chat with Chris Wallace on the latest episode of Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace? and discussed Romo. Ebersol thinks that Romo isn't the storyteller he should be at this stage of his broadcasting career.
Ebersol said [via totalprosports.com]:
“I’ve known Tony Romo, since he first got to the pros. He’s an unbelievably engaging guy, he should have been a terrific, great broadcaster. Something’s happened since he got into that chair. And it doesn’t seem like he’s into it. Like he was on his way up."
'Get Your Head in The Game!' NFL Broadcast Legend Dick Ebersol and CNN's Chris Wallace Criticize Tony Romo's Game-Calling mediaite.com/a/prujp via @mediaite https://t.co/Z3Ky4vacUe
Ebersol added:
"He does not seem to be the storyteller that he should be. The thing that makes [Al] Michaels great, [Joe] Buck great, and all these guys are they’re really, they’re really storytellers. And Tony has gotten further and further away from that I think.”
These were some harsh words for someone who many think is one of the best. For many, the way Romo calls games with Jim Nantz is incredibly insightful.
Many love Tony Romo as a commentator
Not long after the interview with Chris Wallace aired, the backlash was rather fierce. That's because the former Cowboys quarterback has won over many NFL fans with his commentary.
Often, he predicts how a play unfolds even before the ball is snapped. This also has many thinking that he could easily be an offensive coordinator for an NFL franchise (hello Dallas Cowboys!).
The former Cowboys quarterback made a serious splash when he made the move into the broadcast booth. Such was the fans' love for him that CBS moved swiftly to make him one of the highest-paid broadcasters.
Definitely seek out Tony Romo calling the Patriots-Saints game today.
He's already great at this broadcasting thing! https://t.co/KJ7Rgmavvl
He earned a long-term deal worth around $17 million a season with CBS.
Despite all the fanfare for Tony Romo, Ebersol isn't sold on him as a broadcaster. That does seem a little odd, given the feedback CBS would have received.
Either way, fans love the 42-year-old in the booth and he is likely to remain there for as long as he likes.
If you use any of the above quotes, please credit Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace? and H/T Sportskeeda.