Gary Lineker, the former England captain and renowned sports presenter, has reportedly turned down a lucrative book deal worth $1.3 million (£1million). The offer was made by Penguin Random House, the same publisher that commissioned Prince Harry's controversial memoir.
Despite having an illustrious career both on and off the pitch, Lineker is yet to pen his autobiography. His football journey includes stints at Everton, Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur where he left indelible marks with his performances. He also had a remarkable international career with England where he scored 48 goals in 80 appearances.
However, according to The Mail on Sunday reports, the proposed sum isn't enough for Lineker to share stories from his footballing days or his later years as a BBC presenter and insights into his personal life.
Comparisons with Prince Harry's memoir deal
The comparison between Lineker's rejected offer and Prince Harry's book deal is inevitable. The Duke of Sussex’s memoir sent shockwaves through the royal family but earned him a reported $20 million (£15 million) advance - significantly higher than what was offered to Lineker.
A source quoted by The Mail on Sunday described the offer made to Gary as "derisory", indicating that it fell short of expectations given his stature in sports broadcasting and football history. Lineker will present his final Match of the Day after 25 seasons on Sunday 25 May when this year's Premier League season concludes. However, fans need not worry about missing their favourite host as he will continue leading BBC's coverage of significant events like FA Cup matches and even World Cup 2026.
While we may not get an insight into Gary Lineker’s life through an autobiography anytime soon due to this rejected deal; fans can still look forward to his continued presence in the world of football broadcasting.
