Gary Lineker has reportedly inked a lucrative deal with Netflix to host The Rest Is Football podcast during the upcoming World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico. According to The Sun, Lineker’s production company, Goalhanger, has agreed to sell the podcast rights to the popular US streaming service.
This new contract is said to surpass Lineker’s previous BBC deal, where he earned £1.35 million for hosting Match of the Day and other programs. The move will pit Lineker against his former BBC colleagues next summer as Netflix expands its podcasting initiatives.
The podcast, titled The Rest Is Football, is expected to switch from its current tri-weekly schedule to a daily format, featuring co-hosts Alan Shearer and Micah Richards. Despite the BBC terminating its licensing agreement with the show, The Rest Is Football remains accessible on various platforms and has garnered over eight million views on YouTube.
The official announcement of the deal is scheduled for Tuesday. A source shared with the press, “It’s an exciting agreement, and Gary is ecstatic. It guarantees his presence at the World Cup event.”
Netflix’s venture into football coverage will kick off with a daily show centered around the podcast, introducing Lineker to a broader international audience. The streaming service initially approached Lineker’s company several months ago, with Lineker’s son, Harry, also joining the project as a producer, making it a family affair.
Earlier this year, Lineker departed from the BBC following a controversy related to a social media post about Zionism that inadvertently included an offensive symbol. Lineker expressed regret over the incident and emphasized his commitment to combatting antisemitism.
Known for his advocacy for human rights, Lineker had clashed with BBC over impartiality rules in the past, resulting in temporary removal as Match of the Day host. Despite conflicts with management, Lineker’s influence in the football industry remains significant.
Sky has recently reduced the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the upcoming season, offering substantial savings and an expanded lineup of live matches, including over 1,400 games across the Premier League and EFL. Sky’s coverage will include at least 215 live Premier League matches in the coming season, an increase from previous years.