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    Gary Lineker ‘could be snapped up by Netflix & DOUBLE £30m fortune’ after building TV empire away from Match of the Day

    HE may be giving up his £1.36 million-a-year job, but the BBC’s highest-paid star will be just fine after building a canny media empire of his own.We revealed this week that Gary Lineker will be leaving Match of the Day after 25 years at the end of this season.Gary Lineker will leave Match of the Day at the end of the seasonCredit: BBCHis own company has had success with documentaries like Football, Prince William & Our Mental HealthCredit: BBC SportHe has struck deals for the likes for Vision Express. Pictured in a photoshoot for the brandCredit: SWNSThe football pundit will quit the BBC after anchoring the Corporation’s 2025/26 FA Cup coverage and the next World Cup.In a statement confirming he’s stepping down, Lineker said: “I’m delighted to continue my long association with BBC Sport and would like to thank all those who made this happen.”While many might shudder at the thought of stepping away from such a well-paid role, Lineker’s booming projects away from the Beeb could still see his estimated £30million fortune DOUBLE in the coming years, according to experts.And it’s all thanks to his TV production company, Goalhanger Films.READ MORE SPORTS FEATURESThe firm has already been behind high-profile BBC shows, including Football, Prince William And Our Mental Health in 2020, but it’s also found success with steaming giants, selling a Serena Williams documentary to Amazon last year.Brand and culture expert Nick Ede believes big beasts like Netflix will now have Lineker’s future projects in his sights – and could reward him with a multi-million pound deal, if David Beckham’s £20 million payday was anything to go by.He tells us: “This is a golden moment for Gary to make even more money, spread his broadcasting wings and create compelling content that will help him double his wealth. “I’m sure he will be selling his documentaries and series back to the BBC but now he has the option to sell to the highest bidders with the biggest viewership, making him one of the most powerful men in the media and it’s only going to get more successful for him as the demand is increasing.Most read in Football“Netflix has massive budgets and knows that his shows rate really well, like his Prince William doc. “With his black book full of the greatest sports stars in the world – and royals – plus Netflix’s high demand for content, he will be top of their list for programmes, and could earn tens of millions.”Watch first look trailer for BBC’s ‘Football, Prince William and Our Mental Health’Goalhanger also has an extremely successful podcast production arm, which is now signed up with global entertainment agency WME.In 2022, Lineker hailed  the “incredible growth” of Goalhanger Podcasts, and admitted he could leave the BBC to work on it full time – so it’s very possible that’s what his plans are.He told The New Statesman: “Maybe. Who knows? Life’s thrown many things at me. And I’m 61. “We don’t really know what the boundaries are in terms of growth. But it’s a very, very good business.”Brand dealsThe Rest Is Football podcast has over 320,000 subscribers on YouTubeCredit: The Rest Is FootballLineker has been the face of Walkers for 30 yearsCredit: AlamyHis company has also sold a Serena Williams documentary to AmazonCredit: AFPGoalhanger has produced some of the biggest podcasts in the country, including The Rest Is Politics , hosted by Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart, and The Rest Is History, presented by Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook.And it has found success Stateside recently, too, launching The Rest Is Politics: US.Last year, Gary began fronting The Rest is Football podcast with Micah Richards and Alan Shearer – which has 320,000 subscribers on YouTube.And Nick thinks he’ll continue to earn even more from YouTube thanks to his many brand deals.His most famous is Walkers – who he’s been working with for 30 years, and appeared in over 150 adverts for.Lineker is estimated to earn around £1 million a year from the crisps giant, and signed another three-year deal with them in 2022.He’s also got his own range of specs in high street chain Vision Express, with glasses frames starting at £99 and sunglasses at £39.Shirts brand TM Lewin, also signed Lineker up, to promote its budget range, starting at £25. In 2023, he launched his own line with Next, modelling his own clothes online.Having previously also hosted for the likes of NBC and TNT Sports, Nick says a move to YouTube for Lineker may be on the cards – as he’ll be free from the BBC guidelines.He adds: “He will soon be using YouTube to carry on his football commentary and be able to monetise this.“Without the BBC stronghold for limited commercial activity, he will be getting offers from brands who want to piggyback on the perennial success of his Walkers crisps ads and maximise on his popularity.”Lavish lifeLineker has a £4m mansion in BarnesCredit: SWNS:South West News ServiceThis includes a £50k Jaguar F-PaceCredit: JaguarLineker’s business acumen has led to him owning a £4 million home in Barnes, London – complete with gym and cinema – as well as a car collection worth over £300,000.That included his super-smart Jaguar F-Pace, worth around £50,000.But he’s also been seen riding a Mercedes SL550, BMW 650i convertible, Range Rover Sport and a Jaguar XJ.The hotshot striker was even spied in a £20,000 Mini Cooper Turbo once upon a time.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe car collector has also invested in insurance company, Ticker, which aims to reduce premiums for drivers between the ages of 17 and 25, and is backed by former Formula 1 driver Mark Blundell.Nick finishes: “Lineker has cleverly created a media business that doesn’t need to rely on him and is set to make much more money after BBC.”Lineker has a range with NextCredit: NextHe broke BBC guidelines when he wore his range on the EurosCredit: BBC More

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    Inside Gary Neville’s FIVE failed restaurants including joint ventures with Ryan Giggs and ‘space age’ menus

    GARY NEVILLE’S booming hospitality business empire has hit a rough patch.Not everything has gone to plan for the highly successful Manchester United legend after he was forced to close the doors on a FIFTH restaurant.Gary Neville has been forced to shut his restaurant with £1m debtsThe Man Behind the Curtain first opened in 2014Neville owned half of the Leeds dinerOne of the most unusual looking dishes was a denia red prawn served on a telephone – a play on the ‘Lobster Telephone’ object created by Salvador DaliThe Man Behind the Curtain had a reputation for artistic presentationThis comes after Neville’s Leeds restaurant went into liquidation last month with debts reported at £1million – including £519,000 owed in taxes.The Man Behind the Curtain was launched in 2014 and run by former Masterchef star Micheal O’Hare, with Neville owning half of it via Relentless Leisure.It received a Michelin star in 2015 along with three AA rosettes in 2016.The venue gained a reputation for its extravagant and highly priced dishes including denia red prawn served on a TELEPHONE – a play on Salvador Dali’s ‘Lobster Telephone’. READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThe filing also shows that Neville’s company Relentless Leisure is owed £366,848 by the restaurant.The accounts for 2023 are overdue but those for 2022 reported a £187,000 profit and reserves at £105,938.The closure of The Man Behind The Curtain isn’t the first time Neville has been forced to walk away from a restaurant.Here we take a look at his four other failed dining concepts…Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe Rabbit in the MoonNeville, 49, and former team-mate Ryan Giggs, 50, invested in The Rabbit in the Moon before it ceased in 2017.The Old Trafford duo would link up with O’Hare again after naming him the Creative Director of GG Hospitality in 2016.Bizarre ad sees Man Utd team up with tractor company Yanmar The idea was to run a successful space-age Asian restaurant in Manchester – but it only lasted a year.Diners were treated to fried calf brains, crispy rabbit ears and an octopus hot dog.The fine-dining venue was on the top two floors of Urbis, a six-story building on Exchange Square in Manchester.When O’Hare launched the concept, he hoped it would win the first Michelin star for Manchester in decades.But the bizarre space-themed diner served it’s last meal in 2018 after GG Hospitality announced significant losses to shareholders.The Rabbit in the Moon restaurant in Manchester was closed after two yearsChef Hare came up with the space-age Asian conceptCafé FootballMeanwhile, GG Hospitality endured a miserable 2019 as well after they were forced to close TWO Café Football sites after six years.Opening in 2013, Café Football initially occupied a big, echoey space in the Westfield shopping centre at Stratford in East London.There was a section of Fans’ Favourites including Karren Brady’s Match Day Classic – pie, mash and liquor, chilli vinegar for £13.95 – or Kirsty Gallacher’s Terrace Winter Warmer – chilli with steamed rice and soured cream.And Neville and Giggs decided to open one in Manchester city centre, but that closed in March 2019.The venues were axed after GG Hospitality said: “We have decided to shift our focus to our hotel business.”At the time Neville said: “They were decisions made by me while Ryan has been coaching…but we all learn don’t we?”Gary and former teammate Ryan Giggs shut Café Football in Manchester a week after they axed the diner’s branch in Stratford, East LondonA third branch remains open in Singapore, operating through a different company, but both UK restaurants closed in early 2019.Singaporean businessman Peter Lim is also a shareholder at GG Hospitality and owns the majority stake in Salford City.Class of 92 stars David Beckham, Paul Scholes and Roy Keane join Neville and Giggs in each owning 10 per cent of the League Two club.Lim also owns Valencia, the team Neville famously and miserably managed for 28 games in 2016.Nevertheless, a smaller version of Café Football has since opened inside Neville’s Hotel Football just metres away from Old Trafford.Valencia owner Peter Lim has been in business with Neville for many yearsThe Stock Market GrillThe swanky Stock Market Grill closed last July – after just four months of operation.It replaced Tom Kerridges’ The Bull & Bear restaurant at Neville’s and Giggs’ Stock Exchange Hotel, also co-owned by hotelier Winston Zahra.The British brasserie was the brainchild of brothers Joe and Daniel Schofield, who already operate bars in the city.A statement released by the hotel read: “We have taken the decision to close the doors to Stock Market Grill, as of July 3.”We want to focus on the hotel’s premium cocktail bar, Sterling, in the Vault.”The restaurant will, however, continue to serve breakfast and in-room dining to all overnight guests.”The Stock Market Grill was inside the Stock Exchange Hotel in ManchesterThe hotel is one of Neville’s greatest business achievementsNeville retired from professional football in 2011 and has gone on to build up a £100million empire.He has been listed as a director of 56 businesses on Companies House.While he has interests in media, hotels, pubs, restaurants and education, his most impressive work has been in property development. Among the most high-profile interests are his two hotels, which between them hold £32million in property assets – almost a third of his corporate net wealth.The star owns a 40 per cent share in the Stock Exchange development, which is close to Piccadilly Gardens, in Manchester, alongside Giggs – and he also co-runs the luxurious Hotel Football, which overlooks Old Trafford.Earlier this year he joined Dragon’s Den as an investor, alongside Deborah Meaden, Peter Jones, Touker Suleyman, Sara Davis, and Steven Bartlett.READ MORE SUN STORIESNeville also runs Tiger Sports Management – the residual image rights and sponsorship firm that he set up in 1996 when he was just 21 years old.And he does all of this while presenting and offering commentary for Sky Sports each week.Neville joined the cast of Dragon’s Den earlier this year More

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    Jake Paul in brand new ‘Dog Haus’ business venture as YouTube star prepares for huge showdown with Mike Tyson

    JAKE PAUL has launched a new business venture ahead of his controversial clash with Mike Tyson.The YouTuber-turned-boxer is gearing up to face the former undisputed heavyweight champion in a shock Texas tussle next month.Jake Paul is set to throw down with boxing legend Mike Tyson next monthCredit: RexThe Problem Child has inked a lucrative deal with American restaurant chain Dog Haus ahead of the fightCredit: INSTAGRAM@JAKEPAULPaul, 27, is over the moon with the partnershipCredit: INSTAGRAM@JAKEPAULBut the 27-year-old hasn’t turned off his entrepreneurial brain during fight camp, inking a partnership with beloved American restaurant Dog Haus to help with their “overall strategic vision of the brand.”During his recent trip to Dog Haus’s Arlington store, Paul said: “I’m all in.“I’ve been a fan of Dog Haus for years, and I’m fired up to push the limits and help take this amazing brand to a whole new level.”I’m jumping in their corner and excited to introduce their food and experience to everyone across the country!”READ MORE ON PAUL VS TYSONDog Haus CEO Michael Montagano is delighted to have The Problem Child on board.He said: ‘“When a once-in-a-generation talent reaches out and says he wants to work with you, you take notice!””Our relationship with Jake really has very little to do with his celebrity.”It’s about his dynamic personality, relentless drive and the fact that he has revolutionized the way we communicate, all of which align perfectly with our brand’s ethos.Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”So this is just the beginning.”We’re excited to partner with Jake and Nakisa [Bidarian], proven game-changers and promotional geniuses, in taking Dog Haus to an unprecedented level.”What’s happened’ say fans as they fear Jake Paul is ‘going to get slept’ by Mike Tyson after seeing training footagePaul has faced intense criticism for fighting Tyson due to the 31-YEAR age difference between them.Many believe Tyson, 58, only has a short window in the eight-round affair to pull off a shock upset.But Paul has warned the fan favourite about being overly aggressive in the early goings of the Dallas dust-up.He told The Daily Mail: “I mean, it’s just being alert and knowing what to do in that situation.”I could definitely see him trying to [go for an early KO], but he’ll find out very quickly that I also have a ton of power.”So doing that with a guy like me isn’t always the smartest thing to do, because I’ll catch one of his shots then counter.” More

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    Floyd Mayweather splashes out £750k to complete never-before-seen luxury watch collection

    FLOYD MAYWEATHER has splashed out three-quarters of a million pounds to complete a luxury watch collection.Mayweather, who retired from professional boxing in 2017, pocketed an estimated £900million ($1.2billion) across his pro fighting career before continuing to rake in the cash with exhibition matches.Floyd Mayweather splashed out £750,000 on a new set of watchesCredit: GettyMayweather bought a collection of four watchesCredit: @FloydMayweather/InstagramThey came in four different colours and cost $250k eachCredit: @FloydMayweather/InstagramEach one of the gemstone-encrusted watches was made by Avi and CoCredit: @FloydMayweather/InstagramThe 47-year-old has an estimated net worth of £336m and has made a number of mind-boggling purchases.This includes a £20m car collection, property – one of which he recently sold for $22.5m – and a watch collection.And he has now added a stunning gemstone-encrusted set of four Avi and Co watches to his collection.The four watches – all members of the Hue Collection – come in four different colours; blue, green, red and pink.READ MORE IN BOXINGEach watch reportedly cost $250,000, a retail price “Money” Mayweather could not refuse.The purchase has made him the first person in the world to own the full set, with the watches previously being kept in a special-edition winder-display box in New York.Avi and Co, founded in 2009, regularly fit their star-studded clientele with the luxury accessories.Following his purchase, Mayweather said on Instagram: “When the craftsmanship at @aviandco is this impeccable, choosing just one watch wasn’t an option… so I bought all four from the exclusive ‘Hue Collection.’ Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”This is the kind of quality you can only get from a jeweler who’s available 24/7, where the service is as priceless as the jewels. “A special thanks to @Forbes for consistently recognizing me and others in such a positive light—always a class act. Floyd Mayweather, 47, flashes wads of cash before flying out to exhibition fight against John Gotti III on private jetHe added: “The Hue collection hits hard.“People are constantly asking me about my Avi & Co. watches. It just feels right.”Forbes reported Mayweather already owned seven of the watches.Designer Avi Hiaeve said: “He’s a very close friend of mine. We’ve been doing business for a long time and outside of business we are there for each other.”We talk about other things. He has always been my supporter.”Mayweather’s last exhibition bout came last month in a rematch against John Gotti III – a fight in which Mayweather appeared to AXE the referee mid fight. More

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    Former Newcastle co-owner Mehrdad Ghodoussi special guest at Tottenham vs Arsenal amid plans to buy stake in club

    MEHRDAD GHODOUSSI went to see Tottenham vs Arsenal last week as investment talks continue.Ghodoussi, the husband and business partner of Amanda Staveley, was a VIP guest  while a potential cash injection into Spurs was discussed in the background.Mehrdad Ghodoussi and Amanda Staveley were Toon co-ownersCredit: GettyGhodoussi was a guest at Spurs when Gabriel won the derby for ArsenalCredit: GettyStaveley has put a team together to buy a percentage of the club with Middle Eastern cash and other backers.The Yorkshire businesswoman and Ghodoussi were co-owners at Newcastle after taking a 10 per-cent stake in 2021.That was when they helped set up a £305million Saudi takeover of the Magpies.But they departed in July this year amid a shake-up at St James’ Park.READ MORE TOP STORIESStaveley said at the time: “I am devastated. It’s such a wonderful club, so it feels very bittersweet.”It has become part of my DNA, something you love so much and don’t want to let go. It’s very painful.”However, since then Staveley has been looking at a quick route back into the Premier League.Now it appears that opportunity is close to fruition, albeit with Ghodoussi far from a lucky charm as he saw the Gunners win 1-0 at fierce rivals Spurs.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSSunSport exclusively revealed last month that Staveley was stepping up her bid to buy into Tottenham.Staveley found the backing of “serious money” from the Middle East and wealthy individuals.Tottenham legend Gus Poyet explains why Ange Postecoglou can end trophy hoodoo and win Carabao Cup despite Coventry horror showIt’s understood Staveley would aim to purchase an initial stake in the club – then look to invest further.Tottenham’s majority shareholders ENIC are mainly owned by 87-year-old Joe Lewis’ family trust, with club chairman Daniel Levy also involved.It’s reckoned ENIC might be willing to consider selling some – possibly even a large part – of their 86.58 per cent stake in Spurs.Staveley and Ghodoussi are revving up their interest in SpursCredit: Rex More

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    Eddie Hearn put on the defensive as he is warned he could be put out of business by his own innovation

    EDDIE HEARN has rubbished suggestions that Saudi bigwig Turki Alalshikh could put him out of a job after being warned that he could be made redundant.The entire boxing landscape has been transformed by the Chairman of the Kingdom’s General Entertainment Authority, who brokered a whopping but ill-fated £100million two-fight deal between Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder.Turki Alalshikh has changed the landscape of boxing foreverCredit: REUTERSThe Saudi bigwig has negotiated some massive deals during his short time in the sportCredit: REUTERSPromoter Eddie Hearn has rubbished suggestions that Alalshikh will eventually make him redundantCredit: GETTYAlalshikh, thanks to his bottomless pit of money and eagerness to make fights fans want to see, is now the biggest mover and shaker in the sport.And his grand plans of making a singular boxing league could essentially render promoters redundant.Hearn was warned about potentially losing his job by talkSPORT’s Simon Jordan, who said: “We are in a unique period.”These guys are getting these fights made for them. They just turn up and that, to me, is not much of a skillset.READ MORE ON HEARN”It does make me wonder if the end goal is if the Saudis say, ‘What do we need these guys for? They are glorified agents, we can own the fighters.'”Unless there was a bloody good reason, why would I deal with Hearn and [Frank] Warren. “If I’ve got the ability to turn out their lights economically what do I need them for?”But Matchroom Boxing boss Hearn insists promoters like himself and Frank Warren are still imperative to the sport and Alalshikh’s future plans.Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHe replied: “I think that is a little bit harsh. “We have got a huge business of running global sports.From Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury to all American pound-for-pound clash, Eddie Hearn’s five must-see boxing fights”The ability runs deeper than being a glorified agent and a deal maker.”A few weeks ago we ran the Riyadh Season USA, with a Matchroom team of 40 people.”It was an event that couldn’t have been done without us in terms of promoting, the infrastructure of TV deals, licensing, dealing with commission, local governments and council.”The job is just incredible and as the size of the shows increase and the job changes.”This isn’t a situation of going in and doing a deal and taking a cut.”Ourselves and Queensberry do a huge amount of work and the requirement of these people and that Turki Alalshikh requires, it is not easy to do it yourself.”Hearn has built a fruitful relationship with Alalshikh and is confident he doesn’t want mass casualties in the sport.The 45-year-old continued: “He also acknowledges he wants the ecosystem of boxing to keep it thriving.Eddie Hearn insists Turki Alalshikh needs promoters like himself and Frank WarrenCredit: MATCHROOM BOXING”Riyadh Season will not on its own keep boxing alive.”There are hundreds of shows around the world every week, small hall etc, we can’t just rely on five or six Riyadh Season events.”But yeah there has been an explosion of boxing, but he can’t live without our stable and Frank Warren’s stable.”At the moment I think the relationship is great and I don’t think he wants to put everyone out of business.”Boxing’s top promoters are in talks with Alalshikh over a blockbuster league, although Hearn insists there’s a “huge amount of work to take place” in order for it to come to fruition.He later said: “Of course, we are in those conversations with him, it is all part of the strategy and plans that are being discussed.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Don’t forget these kinds of plans have taken place before.”But not necessarily with the depths of budgets that have taken place before, but we are all in for it.” More

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    Gareth Southgate splashes out £2.4million on properties for his growing investment firm

    EX-ENGLAND boss Gareth Southgate has splashed out on a string of new signings – snapping up £2.4 million of properties for his growing investment firm.Canny Southgate, 53, has bought five new homes for his buy to let company – which now holds £6.4 million of property.Gareth Southgate has splashed out £2.4million on properties for his growing investment firmCredit: APSouthgate’s company MAS Investment Holdings – which deals in “the buying and selling of real estate” – bought three apartments at a new development in Birmingham and two properties in Wimbledon, south-west London.Southgate, who resigned as Three Lions boss last month, runs the firm alongside wife Alison. It now owns 16 properties.The new flats in Birmingham cost between £367,000 and £450,000 each and average prices in the Wimbledon development of maisonettes was £667,000.The latest signings are revealed in new paperwork filed at Companies House, which shows loans were secured against the properties.READ MORE ON GARETH SOUTHGATEAnd a source said: “Gareth is tactically astute on and off the pitch, and has stepped up his work on the properties side of things.“He is hoping he has made good signings – and knowing him, he will have done and they will add a lot of value to the business.”Gareth is going to have more time now to focus on business and make sure it is all a success.“It is also a family firm, and he wants to make it work for his wife and their two children so that their futures are secure.Most read in Football“Gareth will not be short of work offers but will also be able to focus on business away from the game.“And this is a sign he is determined to make it work and be a huge success there too.”The Sun’s Shaun Custis and Charlie Wyett discuss Gareth Southgate quitting as England manager and who could replace himSouthgate’s firm, MAS, now owns eight apartments in Birmingham, four properties in London, and four in Manchester.The financial statements show MAS Investment Holdings returning a £65,972 profit on its property dealings.Southgate – tipped for a role in TV punditry – stepped down as England boss after the Three Lions lost in the Euros final to Spain.He said it had been the “honour of my life” to manage the team after 102 games in charge and almost eight years at the helm. More

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    Man United aces Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho boost business empires by backing new line of baby lotions

    MANCHESTER United stars Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho have invested in a line of baby lotions.They have ploughed cash into Nala’s Baby, which makes specialist skin and hair care oils for tots.Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho have invested in a line of baby lotionsCredit: GettyThe Manchester United pair are boosting their respective business empiresCredit: PAThe company is said to be worth £17million and boasts a star-studded shareholder list that includes boxer Anthony Joshua.Rashford, 26, will be hoping to help the brand expand — and add something new to his business portfolio after he built a £15million property empire.His mum Melanie is also believed to have invested.Sancho, 24, who founded his own investment firm in 2018, is also keen to promote the firm. READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSHe said: “I’m proud to get behind and show support for a brand that’s offering a much-needed hand to parents who want the best for their children.”Their 20 sensitive skin oils, body butters and lotions will also launch in Sainsbury’s this week after previously inking nationwide partnerships with Ocado, Boots and Tesco.Nala’s was launched in 2020 by British rapper Krept, real name Casyo Johnson, and Instagram influencer ex-girlfriend Sasha Ellese Gilbert.Both founders previously said they spotted a gap for “naturally-derived” baby products – though Krept, 34, added he uses the cream for his own face every day.Most read in FootballThe first batch of test lotions were specially developed for their daughter, four, who the business is named after.Man Utd fans convinced Marcus Rashford ‘scoring 40 goals this season’ after seeing video of him ‘feeling like Maradona’ More