Gary Lineker, the former Tottenham and Barcelona striker, has once again been named the BBC's highest-paid presenter. This marks his eighth consecutive year at the top of the pay league, despite his recent departure from Match of the Day.
Lineker earned over £1.3 million ($1.7m) before leaving the corporation, according to a report by The Sun. His exit came after a disagreement with BBC management but did not affect his standing as one of its most valued figures.
Following Lineker’s departure from Match of The Day, Mark Chapman, Gabby Logan, and Kelly Cates have been appointed as hosts to fill in for him.
Other high earners at BBC
The list also features several other industry figures including radio presenter Zoe Ball and Newsnight host Fiona Bruce. However, only one other ex-footballer turned pundit made it to this exclusive list - Alan Shearer.
Shearer is an ex-Newcastle striker who has worked alongside Lineker on numerous occasions and continues to do so on their podcast "The Rest is Football". He ranks third in terms of earnings among presenters at BBC with a salary amounting to £440,000 ($589,000).
Comparisons within Match Of The Day team
Interestingly enough, there is a significant disparity between what Lineker earned compared to his successor Chapman who brought home £325,000 ($435k) last year. As part of its revamp strategy for MOTD show post-Linekar’s exit, BBC has also signed Wayne Rooney as a pundit for an impressive sum of £800k ($1m).
Despite leaving one of his most prominent roles at BBC behind him, Linekar continues diversifying his interests. He remains active in sports commentary through various platforms including hosting "The Rest is Football" podcast. Gary Lineker's reign as the BBC's highest-paid presenter, even after his exit from Match of the Day, highlights his significant contribution to sports broadcasting. His successors and colleagues have big shoes to fill, both in terms of on-screen presence and financial earnings.
As for Lineker himself, he continues to be a prominent figure in sports commentary outside of BBC. His ongoing work on "The Rest is Football" podcast is a testament to his enduring popularity among sports fans and betting enthusiasts alike.
