November 12th 2024.
Renowned sports presenter Gary Lineker is known for his quick wit and charm on screen, but what many may not know is that he earns a whopping £1million a year from his work at the BBC. As the highest-paid presenter at the broadcaster, Lineker receives a seven-figure pay cheque, making him one of the most well-compensated figures in the industry.
Despite his impressive salary, the 63-year-old recently made headlines when it was reported that he had offered to take a pay cut in order to continue hosting the popular show Match Of The Day. This offer came after Lineker announced his departure from the show, which he had been helming for an impressive 25 years.
In July, the BBC released its annual salary report, revealing that Lineker earned a staggering £1,300,000 to £1,354,999 for the 2023/2024 period. In second place was presenter Zoe Ball, who earned considerably less with £950,000 to £954,999 for the same period.
Despite being the BBC's top-earning star for the past seven years, Lineker was willing to take a £350,000 cut in order to continue hosting Match Of The Day. However, he ultimately made the decision to step down from the show after a successful 25-year run. But this isn't the end of Lineker's career at the BBC, as the corporation revealed that he had agreed to a contract extension.
Under this renewal, Lineker will lead coverage of the 2026 World Cup and will also host the BBC Sport's coverage of the FA Cup in the 2025/26 season. In a statement, Lineker expressed his delight at continuing his long-standing partnership with BBC Sport, thanking all those who made it possible.
Meanwhile, Alex Kay-Jelski, director of BBC Sport, praised Lineker's talent and announced that he would continue to lead the network's coverage of live football events. However, Lineker's impressive salary has been a topic of controversy, with many questioning its justification.
Earlier this year, it was reported that Lineker had offered to take a pay cut in order to continue hosting Match Of The Day, as he saw it as a great honor. A source close to the presenter revealed that Lineker has always believed that the BBC offers excellent value for money and was more than willing to take a substantial pay cut.
The broadcaster's eye-watering salary has been a subject of debate, with BBC boss Tim Davie having to defend it in the past. When asked about Lineker's salary and whether it could be allocated to a presenter with a lower fee, Davie emphasized Lineker's immense value to the network, citing his experience as a former England player.
Despite the controversy surrounding his salary, Lineker's departure from Match Of The Day in May 2025 will mark a remarkable 25 years on the show. The sports star was spotted walking his dog outside his London home on Tuesday morning, looking relaxed and content.
Lineker's departure from the show comes after he was briefly suspended last year for tweeting about the British government's asylum policy, sparking a debate about BBC presenters expressing their political views on social media. As for who will replace Lineker on the show, presenters Gabby Logan and Mark Chapman are among the top contenders.
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