John McEnroe's BBC salary has dropped below the £178,000 disclosure threshold for the second consecutive year, according to the broadcaster's latest annual report. The 67-year-old former Wimbledon champion, who has been a staple of the BBC's Wimbledon coverage for over 20 years, earned more than £200,000 from 2022 to 2023 but fell below £178,000 in 2024-25 and again in 2025-26.
Salary decline amid BBC transparency rules
The BBC is required to publish the salaries of on-air and off-air talent earning more than £178,000 per year. McEnroe's absence from the list for 2025-26 indicates his earnings have remained below that threshold. His income from the BBC covers his two weeks of commentary at Wimbledon, but he also works for ESPN covering the US Open and appears on the Tennis Channel and NBC.
Alan Shearer remains the BBC's highest-paid sports pundit, with earnings between £390,000 and £394,000 for 2025-26, down from £440,000-£444,000 the previous year. Gary Lineker, who left the BBC in May 2025, still earned between £325,000 and £329,000 in the year ending March 2026.
McEnroe's on-court presence at Wimbledon 2026
Despite the pay cut, McEnroe attracted attention during the 2026 Wimbledon men's final, where Jannik Sinner defeated Alexander Zverev in four sets. Seated alongside Clare Balding and Pat Cash, McEnroe wore a black button-down shirt, black trousers, and a necklace, prompting Balding to comment on the weather. McEnroe replied sarcastically: "I'm so glad I wore black. It's hot out here."
