Former England striker Gary Lineker is making a major move to Netflix, securing what is being described as an 'extraordinarily lucrative' deal that will see him front his popular football podcast for the streaming giant during next year's World Cup.
From BBC Departure to Netflix Stardom
The significant career shift comes after Lineker's exit from the BBC in May, which followed a controversial social media post about Zionism that included an illustration of a rat, historically used as an antisemitic insult. The 65-year-old, who had been with the Corporation for 25 years, was originally scheduled to anchor the BBC's coverage of the tournament in North America as his final project.
However, that role was axed after he reposted the image. Announcing his departure at the time, Lineker stated he did not see the image and 'would never consciously repost anything antisemitic,' adding: 'However, I recognise the error and upset that I caused, and reiterate how sorry I am. Stepping back now feels like the responsible course of action.'
The Rest Is Football Finds a New Home
His podcast, The Rest Is Football, was previously aired on BBC Sounds but has been without a mainstream broadcaster since his departure. The show is owned by Lineker's production company, Goalhanger Podcasts, which he co-founded in 2022. While the podcast's listener figures are closely guarded, it achieved more than 8 million viewers on YouTube alone in July, demonstrating its substantial popularity.
A source close to the deal told the Daily Mail: 'The Rest is Football is currently available to watch on YouTube but it has not been affiliated to any other network or broadcaster. This is all new for Netflix and it is being described as an exciting new thing amongst the bosses there.'
A Lucrative New Chapter
The Netflix agreement represents a dramatic new chapter for the Match of the Day veteran, who joined the show in 2000 after retiring from football. The source added that the deal means 'Gary gets a huge payday' and that 'its profile will catapult again, as well as meaning that Gary will go to the World Cup after all, just in a very different capacity.'
It is not yet confirmed whether his regular co-hosts, Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, will join him on the Netflix platform, as they may be in the US working as pundits for the BBC. Following his BBC departure, it was also announced that Lineker will host a new ITV quiz show called 'The Box'.
