UPDATED: Gary Lineker is leaving BBC’s flagship football series ‘Match of the Day’, but has extended his contract with the broadcaster until the 2026 World Cup.
Lineker, the broadcaster’s highest-paid presenter and host of the show since 1999, will step down after this season ends in May 2025. However, he will also provide BBC Sport’s coverage of the FA Cup in the 2025-2026 season and will continue with the Top Ten podcast of “Match of the Day”.
“I am pleased to continue my long association with BBC Sport and would like to thank everyone who made this possible,” Lineker said in a statement.
“Gary is a world-class presenter and we are thrilled that he will lead our coverage of the next World Cup and continue to lead our live coverage of the FA Cup,” said Alex Kay-Jelski, director of BBC Sport. . “After 25 seasons, Gary is leaving ‘MOTD.’ We would like to thank him for everything he has done for the show, which attracts millions of viewers every week. He will be greatly missed on the show, but we are so pleased he will remain with the BBC to present live football.”
News of Lineker’s departure from Match of the Day comes after reports last month that he had entered new contract negotiations with the BBC. He has been the broadcaster’s biggest earner for years, taking in around £1.35 million ($1.74 million) between 2020 and 2021.
His payday has drawn criticism over the years, as have his outspoken political views. In March last year, Lineker found himself in hot water when he commented on social media about Britain’s controversial illegal migration law, calling it an “immeasurably cruel policy, targeting the most vulnerable people,” in language not unlike that of Germany. in the 1930s.”
In response, the BBC determined that he had breached their social media guidelines and Lineker was forced to step away from hosting for several days.
However, at a Broadcasting Press Guild lunch in February, Lineker said he did not feel restricted by the broadcaster when it came to expressing his views.
“I think I have now tweeted as I always have, which is to say in a sensible way,” he said. “I know the guidelines inside and out, and the new guidelines actually give you more freedom to tweet. We are allowed to have opinions about things.”