What is Tony Romo’s Net Worth and Salary?
Tony Romo, former quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys and current television broadcaster, has a net worth of $70 million. He holds several records during his time with the Cowboys, including most passing touchdowns and yards.
Despite his success, Romo was criticized for his inability to lead the Cowboys past the divisional rounds in the playoffs. However, he holds the highest passer rating among all retired players and the fourth-highest in history.
Romo earned $130 million in NFL salary and millions more from endorsements, making him the highest-earning undrafted player in NFL history. He is now one of the highest-paid broadcasters in TV sports history after signing a lucrative deal with CBS in 2020.
Tony Romo was born in San Diego, California in 1980 and grew up playing baseball. However, his football journey began in high school where he became the starting quarterback and received several honors. Romo also played basketball, tennis, and golf before graduating in 1998.
He attended Eastern Illinois University and immediately became an efficient quarterback, leading the league for passing efficiency. Romo finished his college football career with several honors, including OVC Player of the Year and All-America honors.
Tony Romo’s NFL Career
Tony Romo started his NFL career as an undrafted rookie in 2003. The Dallas Cowboys signed him as their third-choice quarterback, and he mostly played as a holder for placekicks in his early years. However, he gained attention in 2004 when he rushed for the winning touchdown against the Oakland Raiders.
By 2005, Romo had become the Cowboys’ second-choice quarterback, and he served as a backup for Drew Bledsoe. He led the team to wins against the Colt and the Buccaneers by the end of the season. In 2007, Romo became the team’s starting quarterback, and he signed a $67.5-million contract extension.
Despite injuries such as broken ribs, broken clavicles, punctured lungs, and herniated discs, Romo continued to play well and receive praise from multiple sources. He signed a 5-year, $10-million endorsement deal with Starter in 2008 and a 6-year contract extension with the Cowboys worth $108 million in 2013.
Romo retired from the NFL in 2017 at the age of 37.
Tony Romo’s Success as NFL Color Analyst
Tony Romo’s fast rise to lead color analyst for NFL broadcasts at CBS Sports raised eyebrows, but he quickly proved his worth. By 2017, he was receiving widespread critical acclaim for his impressive ability to read and predict plays before they happened. Not only did he predict plays with exceptional accuracy, but he also connected with audiences in a way that his predecessors had not.
Tony Romo’s Personal Life
Tony Romo had a high-profile relationship with Jessica Simpson from 2007 to 2009. He later married Candice Crawford, a former Miss Missouri and journalist, in 2011. The couple had been dating since 2009 and have three children together.
Tony Romo’s Incredible Salary Journey
Tony Romo’s salary journey is a true “rags to riches” story. He entered the NFL undrafted and signed with the Cowboys for just $10,000 as a free agent in 2003.
However, Tony’s talent and hard work paid off as he went on to earn nearly $130 million in salary during his time in the NFL. This is an astounding $40 million more than any other undrafted free agent.
Tony Romo Signs Record-Breaking Contract with CBS
After retiring from the NFL, Tony Romo began working as an NFL analyst for CBS, earning a salary of $4 million per year for his first few years in the booth. In January 2020, rumors circulated that Romo was set to become the highest-paid sports broadcaster of all time with a potential annual salary of $14-15 million if he switched from CBS to ESPN. However, in February 2020, Romo signed a $180-million contract to stay at CBS, with a salary of $17 million per year. This deal made him one of the highest-paid sportscasters in history, and it dispelled the rumors that he would be moving to ESPN.
Tony Romo’s Modest Valley Ranch Home Earns Significant Return on Investment
In 2008, Tony Romo purchased a modest home in Valley Ranch, Irving, Texas for $699,000. The house was painted in all black and white colors and lacked impressive features such as black tile floors and questionable decor choices. It was widely assumed that this purchase represented a long-term investment rather than an actual living space for the NFL star.
In 2016, Romo sold the 5,551-square-foot home for $1.05 million, earning a significant return on his initial investment.