Is Gary Lineker leaving Match of the Day?
THE BBC’s Match of the Day may never be the same again, as it is rumoured that Gary Lineker will be taking his creosote tan, despairing lack of buttons on his shirt and fixed-murderer grin away from Auntie and to pastures new.
Lineker’s contract with the BBC is due to end soon, and BT – which paid £788 million to air 38 premier league matches from 2013 to 2016 – is keen to have a big face represent the brand when it kicks off. And Lineker is deemed to have a face large enough. Must be the ears.
A BT source said: ‘‘Gary Lineker’s agent has been on expressing Gary’s interest. Obviously we’re keen that our coverage is hosted by a big name presenter with a proven track record, and few people in sports broadcasting can boast Gary’s credentials. He’s popular and experienced, and looking for a new deal at exactly the right time, so everything is falling into place nicely.”
Of course, the last MOTD affiliate to jump-ship to a bigger wage was Ray Stubbs and, well, Stubbsy may as well be dead. If Lineker leaves, the door is wide open for Dan Walker, who is smoothly BBC and very well liked among many fans.
The source added to the Daily Mirror newspaper: ‘‘We have paid an enormous amount of money for the games, so it has to be a success. ‘The budget for presenters is a secret, but suffice to say there is a big chunk put aside for the main host and some pundits, and that should be adequate to tempt someone away from another broadcaster if necessary.”
If Lineker jumps toward BT, who would you like to see in the hotseat at MOTD?
Posted: 3rd, July 2012 | In: Sports Comments (2) | TrackBack | Permalink
