Gary Lineker net worth - Match of the Day future, BBC salary and relationship with brother Wayne

It has been revealed how much Gary Lineker has earned during his stint on Match of the Day. The former Tottenham Hotspur striker, who replaced Des Lynam as the show's host in 1999, is set to step down from his presenting duties when his contract with the BBC expires at the end of the season.

According to BBC News, Lineker, who was open to stay on at Match of the Day, entered negotiations with the broadcaster's new head of sport in October. However, the report states that he wasn't offered a new deal for the show, dropping the curtain on his 25-year reign.

In a recent interview with Esquire magazine, Lineker was asked if he considered parting ways with the BBC. Keeping his cards close to his chest, the former England international remained coy.

READ MORE:Who is David Coote? Premier League referee with famous dad at centre of PGMOL probe

READ MORE:Ipswich fire cheeky dig at James Maddison after shock Tottenham defeat

"I could do," said Lineker, as quoted by the Press Association. "Whether that will be the case I don't know. At some point, I have to slow down somewhere... I'm getting old."

Earlier in the year, he also joked that he could leave the BBC. The 63-year-old opened a Match of the Day show by saying it was his final show. Then, after a pause, he added: "Before the international break..."

So, with that being said, football.london have rounded up everything you need to know about Lineker and how much he's earned during his time on the country's television screens.

BBC salary

According to The Independent, the BBC's annual report, published in July, revealed that Lineker raked in approximately £1.35m during the 2023/24 financial year, making him the highest-paid talent on their payroll. The report states that his salary has been reduced since 2019 when he earned £1.75m, taking a voluntary 23% pay cut in 2020.

It's said that Zoe Ball, who presents the Radio 2 breakfast show, is the highest paid woman at the BBC, pocketing between £950,000 and £954,999 during the 2023/24 financial year – which is reportedly down, yet still enough to rank her second on the overall list.

The Independent stat that the third highest-paid talent at the BBC during the 2023/24 financial year was Huw Edwards, who earned between £475,000 and £479,999, with the fourth being Greg James (£415,000 and £419,999).

Walkers Crisps deal

Lineker signed a new three-year deal with Walkers Crisps worth £1.2m in 2020. The Englishman, who's even had a flavour – Salt & Lineker – named after him, has been the face of the company for just over 30 years.

Since initially penning a Walkers Crisps deal worth £200k in 1994, he's appeared in more than 150 adverts. In an interview with LeicestershireLive in 2018, Lineker explained how his relationship with the brand began.

"It all started when I was coming back from playing in Japan in 1994," said the former Foxes striker. "It was supposed to be just a one-off collaboration but it was very well received. Then they offered me a deal, a three-year deal, a five-year deal and it has rolled on from there really and here I am still."

Net worth

After a quarter of a century on the BBC, as well as work with BT Sport, NBC, and Al Jazeera, it's said that Lineker has a net worth of around £30m. And, that only looks set to grow as the Englishman continues to delve into the media industry.

He recently founded Goalhanger Podcasts, who produces 'The Rest Is Football', where he features alongside Alan Shearer and Micah Richards. Lineker also created Goalhanger Films Ltd, which has produced numerous documentaries.

Family life

Lineker is a a father to four sons – George, Harry, Tobias, and Angus – from his first marriage to Michelle Cockayne, which ended after 20 years. After years of speculation regarding his personal relationships, he recently embraced his single status.

Speaking to the Sunday Times in September 2023, Lineker said: "I'm single. I am single. I like being on my own. I know it sounds a bit mad. I have lots of company. I've got lots of friends and I've also got my boys...

"I don't feel lonely. I have the odd date here and there but nothing serious in terms of a long relationship. I've been married most of my adult life. Two really good marriages, I'm friends with both."

Lineker also has a brother called Wayne, who's been estranged from the Match of the Day host since 2008. Earlier this week, the Ocean Beach club owner publicly offered an olive branch to his brother in an emotional statement on Instagram.

Recalling his childhood memories with Gary, Wayne wrote: "The universe works in mysterious ways. 55 years ago I used to go to Kenwood Road outdoor pool with my mum Dad and brother Gary every week during the summer holidays. This was at this time, I know this because it was only open a few years and sadly closed due to English weather - we didn’t get enough sunny days like Ibiza.

"It doesn’t look too dissimilar to how Ocean does now .. stick a few orange cups in people’s hands, some round beds in the pool,a few umbrellas and you got O beach Leicester [crying with laughter emoji] built on this land by developers were houses - our parents purchased one and Gary and I grew up there until we were adults.

"The number of the house on Kenwood road was 10, the very same number my bro wore on his England shirt throughout his 80 international games. Gary and I share the most incredible memories in that house, 2 brothers rarely leaving each others side. One of my favourite memories of us is both clearing the lounge every Saturday of furniture when mum and dad were out making a goal each end just to play one on one football for hours.

"Ofc then carefully replacing the furniture before coming home. They never did find out. I know for a fact that they will be looking down on us with one wish. That would be to become proper brothers again. #lifestooshort."