GARY LINEKER is set for a new £1.35million-a-year contract extension with the BBC, according to reports.
The 62-year-old has been hosting Match of the Day since 1999 and is the Beeb’s top-paid presenter.
Lineker’s contract is set to expire at the end of next season – at the same time as the BBC’s current Premier League highlights rights package.
With the Corporation set to seal a four-year extension to show Prem action on Saturday nights, the Mail claim that they are keen to keep Lineker on as presenter.
The experienced broadcaster is their top-paid presenter on £1.35m-a-year but did take a pay cut from £1.75m in 2020.
Earlier this year he was suspended for a week by the BBC for his social media activity.
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Lineker criticised the Government’s stance on asylum policy, claiming their language used was “not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s”.
Amid his suspension many of Lineker’s BBC colleagues opted to go on strike in support.
The strike saw a bizarre 20-minute Match of the Day aired, with no presenter, pundits or commentators.
Lineker was later reinstated to his role.
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And an independent panel later decided that the BBC’s non-news presenters shouldn’t face punishment for expressing political opinions online.
From next season the BBC will begin broadcasting mid-week Champions League highlights.
The presenting gig could go to Lineker, with the ex-Barcelona and Tottenham striker having previously been BT Sport’s No1 Champions League anchor prior to quitting in 2021.
In a recent interview with GQ, Lineker revealed that his BBC future depended on them winning the rights to show Prem highlights.
He appeared keen to carry on in the role, adding: “The Premier League have been very clever, making sure that there is a show on terrestrial television to maintain interest in the sport.
“As still over half the public don’t have Sky or TNT. So hopefully that will continue.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
