Gary Lineker’s huge salary after being BBC’s highest-paid talent for 7 years

Gary Lineker earns more than £1million a year from the BBC (Picture: BBC Pictures Archive)

Gary Lineker receives a seven-figure pay cheque from the BBC as the broadcaster’s highest-paid presenter.

However, the 63-year-old reportedly offered to take a pay cut earlier this month to continue presenting Match Of The Day which today he stepped down from.

In July, the BBC published its annual salary report which revealed the former England player earned £1,300,000 to £1,354,999 for 2023/2024.

In second place was Zoe Ball, who banked considerably less with £950,000 to £954,999 for the same period.

Gary has been the BBC’s top-earning star for the past seven years but reportedly volunteered to take a £350,000 cut to continue helming MOTD.

Now, though, the ex-Leicester City striker has announced his departure from the show after 25 years.

He announced his departure from Match Of The Day after 25 years (Picture: BBC)

But it is not the end of Gary’s career at the BBC as the corporation revealed he had agreed in principle a contract extension.

Under the renewal, Gary will lead coverage of the 2026 World Cup and will also host BBC Sport’s coverage of the FA Cup in the 2025/26 season.

In a statement, Gary did not address his MOTD exit and instead said: ‘I’m delighted to continue my long association with BBC Sport and would like to thank all those who made this happen.’

Meanwhile, Alex Kay-Jelski, director of BBC Sport, said: ‘Gary is a world-class presenter, and we’re delighted that he’ll lead our coverage of the next World Cup and continue to lead our live coverage of the FA Cup.

Gary’s eyewatering salary has been the subject of controversy (Picture: Michael Regan – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)

‘After 25 seasons Gary is stepping down from MOTD. We want to thank him for everything he has done for the show, which continues to attract millions of viewers each week.

‘He’ll be hugely missed on the show but we’re so happy he is staying with the BBC to present live football.’

Earlier this year it was claimed Gary had held talks with bosses about slashing his salary to continue MOTD as it was ‘an honour’ to present it.

A source told The Sun: ‘Gary adores the BBC, and loves his job, and recognises what an honour it is to host television’s flagship football show, as well as international games.

Gabby is one of the favourites to replace Gary on Match Of The Day (Picture: Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)

‘Gary has long maintained that the BBC provides excellent value for money – and has quite literally put his money where his mouth is, and offered to take a substantial pay cut.’

The broadcaster’s eye-watering salary has long been a bone of contention – with BBC boss Tim Davie previously forced to defend it.

Last year, when asked whether Gary’s salary was justified and if his work could be allocated to a presenter commanding a lower fee, Tim replied: ‘I think overall we’ve done a pretty good job of bringing talent pay and senior pay down.

‘I actually don’t agree, forgive me, that anyone can do this. Someone who has played for England, got the experience… he is of immense value for us.’

Gary will have presented Match Of The Day for more than a quarter of a century when he leaves in May 2025.

The sports star appeared relaxed on Tuesday morning at his home in London as he went out to walk his dog.

Last year, he was briefly suspended from hosting the programme after his tweet about the British government’s asylum policy sparked a row about the corporation’s presenters expressing political views on social media.

Presenters Gabby Logan and Mark Chapman are two of the frontrunners to replace the former England striker.

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