Gary Lineker is in line for a multi-million-pound financial windfall after leaving the BBC with the broadcaster having put pen to paper on a lucrative deal with Netflix
Gary Lineker has reportedly signed a multi-million-pound deal with Netflix to host The Rest Is Football podcast at next summer’s World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The Sun claims the former England star’s production company, Goalhanger, has agreed to sell the rights to the show to the US streaming giant.
The report claims his new contract will dwarf his previous BBC deal, where he earned £1.35million for presenting Match of the Day and other shows. It means Lineker will go head-to-head with his former BBC colleagues at the tournament next summer as Netflix begins expanding it’s podcasting efforts.
The Rest Is Football will reportedly run daily instead of it’s current tri-weekly format, with fellow co-hosts Alan Shearer and Micah Richards involved. The BBC terminated its licensing deal with The Rest is Football in May but the podcast continues to be available on other platforms and has amassed more than eight million views on YouTube.
The deal is set to be announced on Tuesday. A source told the paper: “It’s a really exciting deal and Gary is thrilled. It means he will be at the World Cup after all.
READ MORE: Gary Lineker wants VAR rule change after Moises Caicedo red card in feisty Arsenal drawREAD MORE: Gary Lineker wages war on Tommy Robinson after holiday video goes viral
“It’s Netflix’s first real foray into football coverage, with a daily show built around the podcast. This will also introduce Gary to a whole new international audience.
“Netflix first approached his company a few months ago, and his son Harry will also be joining him Stateside as he’s a producer, so it’ll be a real family affair.”
Lineker left the BBC earlier this year after sharing a social media post about Zionism which included a rat emoji, which has historically used as an antisemitic insult. The 65-year-old emotional social media message, he later announced he was leaving by mutual decision and apologised for any offence caused by the post, saying he had not seen the rat when he re-posted the story.
In an emotional social media message after the incident, Lineker said: “Football has been at the heart of my life for as long as I can remember both on the pitch and in the studio.
“I care deeply about the game, and about the work I’ve done with the BBC over many years. As I’ve said, I would never consciously repost anything antisemitic — it goes against everything I stand for.
“However, I recognise the error and upset that I caused, and reiterate how sorry I am. Stepping back now feels like the responsible course of action.”
Lineker has been a staunch advocate of human rights and had previously clashed with his former bosses regarding the BBC’s impartiality rules. He was temporarily removed as Match of the Day anchor in 2023 after comparing the then-Tory government’s asylum policy to Nazi Germany in the 1930’s.
Co-presenters Shearer and Ian Wright would boycott the show as a result but the show would go ahead without any post-match analysis.
Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.
