October 7 – Gary Lineker, former England striker, and face of football for the BBC for the last 25 years, is rumored to be on his way out of being an integral part of England’s media landscape.
It was reported in the Daily Mail earlier this week that they had seen a draft email stating that Lineker’s last appearance as host on the iconic, Match of the Day show would be Saturday. Lineker, ever the showman teased the viewers with the following quip saying, “Hello. Seven games on the way and it’s my final show,” he said. But after pausing, he added: “Before the international break.”
As the BBC’s highest-paid star, Lineker has been no stranger to controversy over the last few years including being removed from the air after writing on X that the British Government used language regarding small boat crossings as “not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s”. He was reinstated after his colleagues, most notably, Alan Shearer and Micah Richards pulled out of MOTD in solidarity.
When asked about his future by a MailOnline reporter, Lineker replied “XXXX off, I won’t talk to you. Go Away.”
With his contract due to expire next year, there will be no shortage of takers for his quick-witted, cheeky-chappie style personality especially in the USA. With the addition of Gary Neville to NBC’s Premier League coverage (Neville’s own media company Overlap is looking to expand into the US market with its soccer fare, based around Neville’s personality), it is clear that the American broadcaster is going all in with English accents as the demand for the product stateside shows no signs of slowing down.
On Sunday, the BBC reiterated its position and would not comment on Lineker’s remarks. A spokesperson said: “We have nothing to announce, and we have not agreed next steps with regard to his contract. He is under contract until the end of the season.”
The current host of the Premier League on NBC is Rebecca Lowe, however, after 11 years on the desk, it may well be time for a fresh voice for American audiences and Lineker could fit that bill perfectly.
Contact the writer of this story, Nick Webster, at moc.l1728300596labto1728300596ofdlr1728300596owedi1728300596sni@o1728300596fni1728300596