Gary Lineker's BBC salary, net worth and Match of the Day statement amid contract uncertainty

Speculations are rife about the future of Gary Lineker, the Match of the Day host, amidst circulating rumours that the BBC might be contemplating his exit.

An email that was allegedly 'leaked,' points towards discussions within the BBC over a potential move away from their highest-paid star. In an effort to calm the buzz, the broadcaster released a comment highlighting the present situation.

"We have nothing to announce, and we have not agreed next steps with regard to his contract," a BBC spokesperson said, adding, "He is on contract until the end of the season." Ambushed by queries over this 'leaked' correspondence near his home in Barnes, Lineker dismissively told a Mail journalist: "'F*** off, I won't talk to you. Go away."

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These unfolding events only intensify the intrigue around what's next for both Lineker and the BBC as the prospect looms that his 25-year tenure could conclude next summer.

Net worth

Three years since he last appearance in a Walker's crisps commercial, Lineker isn't short on career opportunities. Despite him accepting a salary reduction in 2021 from his previous BBC earnings of £1.75 million, the respected English footballer continues to bolster his already sizeable net worth.

From leading Leicester, his boyhood squad, to triumph in the old Second Division back in 1980, he went on to secure major titles with big names like Tottenham and Barcelona. However, it's estimated that the income from his playing days only make up a small portion of his estimated net worth which is thought to be around £30m.

Lineker, as talented as he was during his playing days, has arguably surpassed that success as one of the top football broadcasters in the industry. His skills have been sought after by networks such as BT Sport (now TNT Sports), NBC and Al Jazeera over the years, with a variety of posts only boosting his bank balance further.

BBC salary

Starting from his humble beginnings taking over from Des Lynam in 1999, Lineker has held one of the BBC's prime spots for a quarter of a century. It would be hard to find another football personality who earns more for their punditry, with Lineker raking in an impressive £1.35m annually, according to the BBC's 2024 figures.

Reports suggest he might consider reducing his salary to £1m per year to sign a new contract, but there's no confirmation yet. His current salary is nearly £500,000 more than his closest competitor, Zoe Ball, who has been a BBC presenter for at least five years longer.

To put Lineker's earnings into perspective, the BBC could afford to employ Alan Shearer - who made £380,000 in the last tax year - three times over and still have enough left over to bring in Louis Theroux for some additional flair.

Match of the Day future

The BBC's latest statement didn't reveal much about Lineker's future on MOTD, but it's worth noting the emphasis on his contract running until the end of the season. Comments like these can sometimes suggest attempts to extend contracts or praise the working relationship between the two parties, but there was no such mention this time.

It's yet to be determined if Lineker will have the chance to decide whether he extends his tenure. The host has previously stated he would keep going in his most famed role as long as the company wants him, but it's possible the situation has changed.

Should he leave, the BBC has plenty of potential replacements on its radar. Mark Chapman, Alex Scott, Gabby Logan, Jason Mohammad and Kelly Somers are some of the experienced hosts who could take over once he steps away.

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