Gary Lineker, who used to play football for England, has been the host of BBC’s Match of the Day since 1999 after his predecessor Des Lynam joined ITV. Match of the Day is one of the BBC’s longest-running shows, having been on air since 1964.
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Thanks to Match of the Day, Lineker has been the BBC’s highest-paid broadcaster for seven consecutive years, per The Independent. Moreover, the former football player is the only star to earn more than £1m in the year 2023/24, with a whopping £1.35m salary.
In recent weeks, rumours have been circulating that Gary Lineker, who has played for several clubs, will soon be leaving Match of the Day. Both the BBC and Lineker have responded.
Rumours about Gary Lineker leaving denied by the BBC
Daily Mail hassuggested that Gary Lineker’s contract as Match of the Day host could be coming to an end. The tabloid published the bombshell claim sourcing 'an email' they saw. The email was allegedly from BBC bosses who were preparing to announce the departure of the former footballer.
Daily Mail does note that ‘it has not been possible to verify the authenticity of the email’ but they claimed to have approached the BBC, who denied having anything to announce.
We have nothing to announce, and we have not agreed next steps with regard to his contract. He is on contract until the end of the season.
Moreover, when Lineker was confronted by Daily Mail reporters outside his home, he had initially told them to ‘F**k off, I won't talk to you. Go away.’
Then, on Saturday, October 5, 2024, during The Rest Is Football podcast, hosted by Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, he revealed some behind-the-scenes details, including that conversations about his future have ‘just started’. He said, as reported by The Telegraph.
It’s been a strange few days. As you know, like Trent, like Virgil, like Mo, I’m coming to the end of my contract in the summer. It’s natural at some point that you have to have conversations and they’ve just started.
I don’t know why it all spiralled out of control, but all is OK.
Gary Lineker may accept a pay cut to stay with the BBC
Amid the rumours of Gary Lineker’s departure from the BBC, there are also rumours concerning his paycheck with the British broadcasters. It was first suggested at the end of September 2024, that Gary Lineker may accept a pay cut to stay on with the BBC.
Lineker is the BBC’s highest-earning presenter after securing a £1.35 million deal. However, it has been suggested, as per several media, that the former England footballer has agreed to take a £350,000 cut on his current earnings.
The reports add that Lineker will hold discussions with the broadcaster during October, which he has already talked about, as mentioned above. A source allegedly said:
Gary is hugely popular with both fans and players alike. The sense is that, with so much uncertainty and scandal at the BBC, right now viewers are crying out for a safe pair of hands.
Gary has long maintained that the BBC provides excellent value for money – and has quite literally put his money where his mouth is, and offered to take a substantial pay cut.
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Sources used:
The Telegraph: ‘Gary Lineker opens talks about likely reduction in BBC salary’
The Independent: ‘BBC issues statement over future of Gary Lineker’s contract after email leak’
Metro: ‘Gary Lineker offers to take huge BBC pay cut to stay as Match of the Day presenter’
Daily Mail: ‘Do they think it's all over? Fresh doubts raised over Gary Lineker's future at Match of the Day after BBC rumours emerge suggesting his time on the show could be coming to an end’
