Tony Romo´s new contract with CBS Sports had more than a few people talking.
At a reported $17-18 million per year, it set a new bar for NFL analysts.
NFL analyst Tony Romo agrees to $17M per year to stay at CBS
Tony Romo has agreed to the largest sports analyst contract in TV history, The Post has learned.
The deal to remain at CBS will prevent Romo from entering free agency next week! pic.twitter.com/83ULS226by
— FOR THE CULTURE (@_CultureBlog) February 29, 2020
Now come reports that former Indianapolis Colts great Peyton Manning was offered the CBS job first.
According to multiple outlets, CBS tried to convince Manning to be their premier analyst.
He remains NFL TV's white whale https://t.co/Y8q2SpVLlR
— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) March 2, 2020
CBS expected ESPN to offer a ten-year deal worth $160 million to Romo.
While Manning could have stolen the position, it wouldn´t have been at that salary.
CBS offered Manning between $10 and 12 million per year over 5-6 years.
Manning Didn´t Turn it Down
This was not the first time Peyton Manning has been offered a TV analyst position.
ESPN and Fox are known to have offered Manning a booth job.
A pair of TV networks is reportedly bidding $10 million to put Peyton Manning in the NFL broadcast booth. Those networks believe fans will tune into their games to watch/hear Peyton. Does that apply to you? Would you be more likely to watch a game with Peyton as analyst?
— Amy Lawrence (@ALawRadio) March 8, 2018
Manning explained he would have problems criticizing former teammates or his brother, Eli.
Peyton is four years removed from the league now and Eli retired after the 2019 season.
Still, the older Manning hesitated to respond to the latest CBS offer.
That was a problem for CBS because Romo´s initial contract was coming to an end.
That meant other networks could soon compete for the star analyst´s services.
CBS feared ESPN´s $160 million offer could go higher in a bidding war.
So, CBS did not wait for Manning’s answer before deciding to open their money safe to Romo.
Will Peyton Manning Ever Get Into Broadcasting?
It is notable that Peyton Manning did not turn down the CBS offer.
With Eli´s retirement, Peyton might be softening his resistance.
Manning stated previously that he “might never go back” to the NFL.
But he stays awfully close to the league already.
Fans and players never know where Peyton will pop up.
Peyton Manning visits Lucas Oil Stadium https://t.co/jZyzpOe5iq pic.twitter.com/fjmbngZi4E
— IndyStar (@indystar) November 10, 2019
He visits training camps, locker rooms, participates in NFL-related charity events, and more.
Plus, he has a successful and entertaining show on ESPN+ called “Peyton´s Places.”
His show highlights historical NFL figures, teams, and events.
Manning alluded to doing some work with Eli this fall.
He could be talking commercials or guest spots on his television show.
Peyton playfully ruled out working with Eli in a broadcast booth.
““It’d be so hard to get a word in,” replied Manning. “You know, Eli, we’re always arguing over who’s gonna say what. So I’m not sure the two of us would fit in that booth together.”
There is This Other Possibility
ESPN made a big push to sign Peyton Manning to their Monday Night Football booth last year.
They flew two executives to the former quarterback´s home to explain details and feel him out.
John Breech of CBS Sports reported Peyton “left the door open” to broadcasting in 2020 during that interview.
The key tangible was Eli´s retirement.
Besides his encyclopedic knowledge of the NFL, Peyton Manning is a smart guy.
If he wanted to work a TV booth this year, he could have taken $10-12 million from CBS.
Or, he could have let CBS set a new bar for high-profile analysts and waited for ESPN to call.
With ESPN losing out on Tony Romo, expect them to make another Godfather offer to Peyton Manning (who isn't interested). If that fails, get creative. The NFL isn't happy with MNF ratings and Disney is trying to add more football TV rights now. Can't bring back Booger/Tessitore
— Brandon Katz (@Great_Katzby) February 29, 2020
It´s pure speculation on my part to wonder if Peyton´s hesitation was calculated to see what happened with Romo.
But ESPN is under serious pressure from the NFL to replace their current MNF broadcast team.
It´s arguably an easier gig since Peyton will know his schedule as soon as the league posts it.
And whoever lands the job is sure to get paid well.
NEXT: 3 Small School Players Who Can Help the Indianapolis Colts