Micah Richards has stunned fans by announcing his intention to quit football punditry. The former Manchester City, Aston Villa, and England defender has become one of the most beloved broadcasters since retiring in 2019, known for his contagious laughter and rapport with fellow pundits on the BBC, Sky Sports, and CBS Sports.
The 38-year-old also co-hosts the popular The Rest Is Football podcast with Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer, which Netflix reportedly paid £14 million to broadcast during the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.
Planned Exit from Mainstream Media
Despite a highly profitable second career, Richards insists he has no desire to remain on TV indefinitely. "I'll be out of all this by the time I turn 46," he told The Telegraph. "You won't see me on any mainstream media beyond the 2034 World Cup. That will be the last time I am on the BBC or Sky or CBS. I've told them all this and they think I'm joking. I'm not."
Richards wants to use this phase to help underprivileged communities. "I want to make a difference to people's lives at a grassroots level – to help those who need it most, especially young people," he said. "I hail from Chapeltown in Leeds. It's an area brimming with talent, but lacking in opportunities. I want to give something back."
Financial Success and Future Plans
According to Football FanCast, Richards has an estimated net worth of £37 million, combining his playing income with punditry earnings. The BBC's 2021/22 report showed he earned around £200,000 for Match of the Day, though his income from Sky Sports and CBS remains undisclosed.
Richards previously joked that his multiple broadcasting roles stem from a costly playing mistake: turning down a £100k-a-week contract at Manchester City at age 17. "Why do you think I work for every broadcaster?" he said. "I went to Aston Villa, that was less money."
He aims to continue punditry for the next seven years, saying, "Hopefully, I can continue doing what I'm doing for the next seven years – and just ensure I don't get cancelled before then!"
