Gary Lineker set for mammoth 26% pay cut as talks begin with BBC amid Match of the Day uncertainty

The BBC will reportedly offer Gary Lineker a salary 26 per cent less than what he currently earns with contract negotiations now underway.

Lineker’s future with the BBC has been a hot topic over the past few weeks after it was confirmed he was entering the final year of his contract.

The 63-year-old has been host of Match of the Day since 1999 after taking over from legendary presenter Des Lynam.

But there’s been growing reports on whether Lineker will opt to leave his role at the end of the season.

Lineker admitted in August that he wasn’t sure whether the BBC wanted to offer him an extension.

Speculation was rife last week with some wild suggestions that Saturday’s Match of the Day could be his last.

Lineker poked fun at the rumours during his opening monologue of the programme.

“Hello, seven games on the way and it’s my final show,” he said with a smile before adding: “Before the international break.”

The former England international has since confirmed that he’s now opened talks with the BBC over a contract extension.

He was speaking on The Rest is Football podcast along with Micah Richards and Alan Shearer, the latter of who likened his current situation to Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah at Liverpool.

Lineker replied: “I think there is one significant difference. The Liverpool fans really care about those three!

“It’s been a strange few days. As you know, like Trent, like Virgil, like Mo, I’m coming to the end of my contract in the summer. It’s natural at some point that you have to have conversations and they’ve just started.

“I don’t know why it all spiralled out of control, but all is OK. I believe you’re in a similar predicament, you too as well. Perhaps you’ll have the Daily Mail on your doorstep tomorrow.

“Now that they know that. I’m more concerned actually about my cold. I started feeling not very well on the way home last night. Terrible throat and phlegmy and yuck.”

Lineker has been the BBC’s highest-paid on-air talent for seven consecutive years with his current contract worth £1.35million.

According to the Telegraph, his new deal won’t be as lucrative though with the BBC only prepared to offer £1m.

That would still see Lineker remain as the BBC top earner, slightly ahead of Radio 2 breakfast host Zoe Ball.

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Lineker’s time with the BBC was under threat back in March 2023 when he was suspended for criticising the Government’s controversial asylum policy.

Lineker’s colleagues at the time stood by him with Match of the Day airing that week without commentary or analysis from in-studio pundits.

He eventually returned to work with the BBC reviewing their social media policy.