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BBC Match of the Day's new trio of hosts 'to be paid less combined than Gary Lineker'

Gary Lineker is expected to be replaced by three presenters on Match of the Day next year, with the BBC icon taking a pay-cut of at least 500,000 in his diminished role

[Gary Lineker's three Match of the Day replacements will 'earn less than him combined']

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Gary Lineker's three Match of the Day replacements will 'earn less than him combined'(Image: Getty Images for Premier League)

Match of the Days three new presenters could receive a lower salary combined than what Gary Lineker was paid.

Linekers departure from the BBCs flagship football programme was announced in November, with the 64-year-old stepping away at the end of the 2024/25 Premier League season in May. It marks the end of an iconic 25-year stint as host, though Lineker will still be on hand to front the broadcasters coverage of the 2025/26 FA Cup as well as the 2026 World Cup.

After much speculation surrounding his successor, it is now being reported that Match of the Day 2s Mark Chapman, long-time BBC sports presenter Gabby Logan, and Sky Sports Kelly Cates will all take on the role, sharing the responsibility between them.

However, according to football finance expert Dr Rob Wilson, the combined salary of all three is unlikely to match the mammoth contract Lineker was on for the role.

Speaking to Card Player, Dr Wilson, a professor of Applied Sports Finance at Sheffield Hallam University, said: "I dont think that Kelly Cates will take a pay cut and I also think that the sum total of the three presenters will be less than what they were paying Gary Lineker.

"So I think the BBC will end up making a financial surplus on Gary moving on and new presenters moving in, notwithstanding the fact that the new presenters will probably be on a little bit more than they were in their previous jobs."

Linekers 1.35million-per-year salary, thanks to his work on Match of the Day, the FA Cup, Euros and Sports Personality of the Year award, made him the BBCs highest earner for a number of years. His new contract is understood to pay at least 500,000 less, as per The Sun, due to the reduced workload.

[Gary Lineker, Gabby Logan and Mark Chapman will lead the BBC's World Cup coverage]

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Gabby Logan [L] and Mark Chapman [M] already have plenty of experience as BBC sports presenters

Chapman is reportedly currently earning 260,000 - 264,999-a-year for his work on Radio 5 Live Sport, Match of the Day 2 and the Challenge Cup, having had his 2022/2023 salary lowered from 325,000 - 329,999.

Logan, who became a BBC presenter back in 2007, is on 210,000 thanks to her work on various events, such as the Olympics and Sports Personality of the Year. It is unknown what Cates, who will leave Sky Sports after nine years, would receive.

She is estimated to be worth around 7.9m, while Linekers net worth is in the ballpark of 30m. Dr Wilson believes the allure of a greater salary, as well as added exposure on a free-to-air platform, all played a part in Cates reported move to the BBC.

[Kelly Cates]

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Kelly Cates is set for a presenting role on Match of the Day(Image: Getty Images)

He added: Does the brand hold without Gary Lineker? It depends on the nature of the audience, I think. I think those that have consumed Match of the Day for the last 20, 25 years have grown up seeing Gary presenting and obviously being the host of Match of the day.

"But like all good things, they come to an end and they need, and those presenters need to be replaced. I think it really will depend on how Match of the Day looks to start the next chapter. So will it be just a simple trade in trade out? Or do they look to reestablish the programme and change its format and its methodology to engage a slightly different audience?

"I think that arguably is the bigger challenge for the BBC because they have historical viewers that will want to continue consuming Match of the Day in its present format and of course, people that want to see some change with the new presenters and finding that balance is going to be quite tricky for them. I'm sure it's the producers that are going to have the more challenging job than the presenters themselves."

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