Gary Lineker to Leave BBC’s ‘Match of the Day’ at End of Season

variety.com:

Ellise Shafer Gary Lineker is departing BBC‘s flagship soccer series “Match of the Day,” BBC News reports. Lineker, the broadcaster’s highest-paid presenter who has hosted the show since 1999, will bow out after the end of this season in May 2025.

According to BBC News, an official announcement is expected to be made on Tuesday. U.K. tabloid The Sun, which first reported the news, also said that Lineker will be leaving the BBC all together after leading coverage of the 2026 World Cup.

The BBC declined to comment on the matter. A representative for Lineker did not immediately respond to Variety‘s request for comment.

News of Lineker’s departure comes after reports last month that he had entered into new contract negotiations with the BBC. He has been the broadcaster’s highest earner for several years, raking in approximately £1.35 million ($1.74 million) between 2020 and 2021.