Ex-Match of the Day Host Des Lynam Critiques Gary Lineker’s BBC Salary

Former Match of the Day host Des Lynam has asserted that justifying the BBC’s high salary for Gary Lineker—based solely on what he brings to the table—is tricky, outside of purely financial considerations.

Last month, it was revealed that Lineker topped the BBC’s highest-paid on-air talent list for the seventh year in a row, earning between £1,350,000 and £1,354,999 for the 2023/24 period.

The former England footballer was the only presenter on the list to earn more than £1 million. However, these rankings only disclose the salaries of those paid directly through the BBC. Many of the broadcaster’s biggest and most costly stars are paid through production companies, including BBC Studios, which are not required to release their salary data.

“I don’t suppose you can justify it in terms of what a nurse or fireman does, but it’s the market— that’s what the BBC feels they have to pay to get his services,” said Lynam, who hosted Match of the Day from 1988 until 1999, in an interview with Radio Times.

“You can’t say that anybody saying a few words into a television screen is worth more than someone who saves lives, but money dictates. He’s a very lucky chap. He’s had two great careers and the second one is helped along by the fact he had the first one,” Lynam added.

Match of the Day airs every Saturday during the football season and features highlights of Premier League fixtures, along with interviews and analysis. Its sister program, Match of the Day 2, airs on Sundays.

During the interview, Lynam also praised Lineker’s presenting skills, mentioning that his successor improved “very rapidly” after initially hesitating to express opinions on air.

“He wasn’t comfortable [as a pundit] at the beginning,” Lynam noted.

“He’s been highly critical of the England team in the Euros, but when he first came on he wouldn’t criticise anybody. He’s not everyone’s cup of tea but for my money, I think he does a first-class job.”

Lynam stepped down from his role at the BBC in 1999 and moved to ITV in a deal that brought “much less work and extraordinary money,” he said.

However, Lynam expressed regret over leaving his post at the BBC, remarking, “I missed doing Match of the Day. It belongs there at the BBC. If they ever get rid of it, or can’t afford it, they’re finished.”

Source: Radio Times