Jim Nantz defends Tony Romo from criticism: 'Trying the best we can'

With Super Bowl LVIII hitting CBS this weekend, long-time play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz is getting ready to call the third Super Bowl of his career. He’ll do so alongside former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo. Romo, once hailed as the best new color commentator in the game, has faced a significant increase in criticism in recent seasons over his broadcasting style and tone.

If the criticism of Romo has gotten under Nantz’s skin, the veteran isn’t showing it. Nantz joined the latest episode of Jimmy Traina’s Sports Illustrated Media Podcast this week before Super Bowl LVIII and said he doesn’t notice the negative comments about his partner.

“I’m not aware that it’s ratcheted up more this year if that’s what you’re telling me,” Nantz, who doesn’t frequent social media, said. “Now people will say, ‘Don’t people send you sometimes clips or something on Twitter?’ Sure, but how I would get from there to see what people are saying about Tony, no. I wouldn’t even think about it. I’m going to use my own judgment of how the broadcasts are going. And I couldn’t be happier.”

After Romo’s broadcast career started with rave reviews, CBS ponied up a new deal for him that pays him $17 million per year. Nantz says he loves working with the former Cowboys star, so the two could continue as broadcast partners for a while yet.

“I love working with Tony,” Nantz told Traina. “Our chemistry is great. Our time together is just like it is on the air. We have a lot of laughter, a lot of fun. We see silliness, sometimes we bring that silliness to the air. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. That’s humor. But no, I don’t want to say any more about it because you’re asking me something that I’m not familiar with. We’re trying the best we can. I know we’ve had a super year and I really feel good about it going into the game.”

Joining Romo and Nantz for Sunday’s coverage is sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson. CBS revealed last week that the broadcast will utilize up to 165 cameras to put the show on all platforms.

How to Watch this year’s Super Bowl

Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
Channel: CBS, Paramount+
Location: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas
Spread: San Francisco -2.5
Over/Under: 47.5

With the spread currently at -2.5 for the San Francisco 49ers, the Las Vegas oddsmakers are preparing for a tight game. The over/under point total for Super Bowl LVIII is 47.5 points. Last year, the Eagles and Chiefs hit the over by scoring 73 points combined. However, the previous four Super Bowls all went under. Twelve of the past 20 Super Bowls have finished as one-score games. Vegas is clearly expecting another nail-biter this year.