adminLONDON. – Gary Lineker could TRIPLE his £1.3 million BBC pay packet as rival broadcasters queue up to poach the veteran presenter.
The BBC icon, 62, was suspended from presenting Match Of The Day amid an ongoing dispute with the BBC over his controversial and inflammatory migrant tweets.
Gary’s criticism of the Government’s migrant crackdown sparked fury, as he was accused of breaching BBC impartiality rules and diminishing the tragedy of the Holocaust by likening Tory immigration rhetoric to that of Nazi Germany.
Despite being pulled off air, he appears to have received job offers from two broadcasting titans.
BT Sport are interested in hiring the presenter as part of their planned summer revamp to become TNT Sports.
The broadcaster has been bought by Warner Brothers Discovery and they are reportedly planning to expand their football coverage.
They want the ex-England star to be the face of their new venture, which includes Premier League and Champions League coverage.
BT Sport have the rights for those competitions for two and four more years respectively and are believed to be in the market for EFL rights, currently held by Sky Sports.
Lineker previously worked for BT Sport between 2015-2021 and has presented Match Of The Day since 1999.
He decided to step down to watch his beloved Leicester City on their European journey in the Europa Conference League last season, with Brendan Rodgers’ side reaching the semi-final.
ITV are also allegedly interested in Mr Lineker – having chased his signature for years.
And sources speaking to The Mail on Sunday say he would “undoubtedly” be able to name his salary.
A source adds: “He is the host of the most watched football programme in Match of the Day so would bring an audience with him, and he also has a brand to take with him.”
And, Lineker was at the King Power Stadium on Saturday to watch the Foxes in action against Chelsea following his Match of the Day axing.
It comes as the veteran broadcaster sparked a free speech row when he compared the Government’s plans to ban migrants arriving on small boats from settling in Britain with “1930’s Germany”.
The BBC said Mr Lineker’s criticism of the Government’s Illegal Migration Bill on Twitter was a “breach of our guidelines”.
The pundit was then forced to step back from presenting duties on the flagship football show – that he’s presented since 1999 – until a “clear position” on his social media use is agreed.
But his suspension sparked chaos as scores of Match of the Day co-hosts refused to appear in solidarity with the veteran presenter.
Ian Wright, Alan Shearer, Jermaine Jenas, Alex Scott, Mark Chapman and Micah Richards all refused to fill in amid the chaos.
The show’s commentary team also stood down – meaning the show went ahead as a highlights reel without presenters, pundits or commentators. – The Sun.
Online Reporter