Since 1999, Gary Lineker has been synonymous with the popular football highlights show Match of the Day (MOTD). However, as his current contract is scheduled to conclude at the end of the 2024/2025 season, there are murmurs that BBC’s director of sport, Alex Kay-Jelski, might be planning to part ways with him ahead of schedule. In response to these rumors, a BBC spokesperson provided a comment regarding the current situation.
A BBC spokesperson said, “We have nothing to announce, and we have not agreed next steps with regard to his contract.”
Lineker himself addressed the uncertainty about his future with the show, expressing his enjoyment in hosting it and contemplating the possible changes ahead.
Gary Lineker said, “I don’t know! It depends how long they want me, I suppose. I love doing it at the moment and I’ve still got another year left, at least. So we’ll have to wait and see what happens. Obviously it’s another change in football and television and the rights of the Premier League and stuff like that.”
Lineker also reflected on his long tenure as the host and the significance of the show in his life.
Gary Lineker said, “All of these things will play a part. But I just feel it’s been an absolute privilege to have presented it for 25 years now. I must be getting old!”
Lineker, the BBC’s top earner with a £1.35 million annual salary, was reported in September to be negotiating with the corporation to continue his role on a reduced salary of £1 million. Match of the Day, which recently celebrated its 60th anniversary, is reportedly being eyed for modernisation by the BBC to appeal to a younger demographic. Despite having worked with other broadcasters and hosting a podcast with his fellow pundits Micah Richards and Alan Shearer, Lineker shared with BBC Breakfast the unique significance of MOTD in his life.
Gary Lineker said, “It’s been a part of my life, a big part of my life right from the start. I watched it as a kid, it was the one night my dad would let me stay up to watch Match of the Day.”
