Gary Lineker explains why he snubbed Sky Sports: ‘I could’ve earned a lot more’ | Football

BBC presenter Gary Lineker has revealed three reasons why he snubbed offers to join Sky Sports, where he ‘could’ve earned a lot more’ money.

The former professional footballer has presented Match of the Day on the BBC since the late 1990s, marking the longest tenure in MOTD history.

Lineker is set to step down in May after 26 years in the role and will depart the BBC entirely after next season’s FA Cup and the 2026 World Cup.

But the ex-striker – who played for Leicester City, Everton, Barcelona and Tottenham – is adamant that he will not be joining a rival broadcaster next.

There are three reasons why Lineker never joined – and will not join – a new broadcaster, including his loyalty to the BBC, having been there for so long.

The second reason is because he claims the BBC attracted bigger audiences than Sky and the third is due to his successful podcasting work.

Lineker is a co-founder of Goalhanger Podcasts, which produces a number of shows including The Rest is Football, which he presents himself along with Alan Shearer and Micah Richards.

Across 13 shows, Goalhanger Podcasts collectively achieve over 40 million downloads per month, with The Rest Is Politics also notably successful.

Speaking about his future in broadcasting in a new interview, football icon Lineker said that he will be very much focusing on his podcast empire.

‘I don’t think you’ll see me doing much football, apart from the podcast,’ the 64-year-old former England international footballer told FourFourTwo.

‘I’ll do the odd thing, but I don’t think you’ll see me appearing regularly on another channel.’

Lineker has been in talks with Sky on a number of occasions but his loyalty to the BBC, where he begun his career in the media, always prevailed.

‘We’ve had talks with Sky at various points, but I always wanted to stick with the BBC,’ Lineker added.

‘I could have earned a lot more, though I know I’ve been well paid anyway, obviously.

‘I’ve had offers to go elsewhere but I just loved being with the BBC, and also how it helps everything else you do.

‘It’s not only the kudos, the audience is much bigger. More people still watch Match of the Day than probably the biggest live game on Sundays.

‘Also, I’m quite loyal. I’ve had the same guy cut my hair for 40 years, the same guy training me in the gym for 30 years, the same agent since I was 18.’

Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan have formed a three-person presenting team to replace Lineker on Match of the Day for next season.

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