Gary Lineker Salary Tops BBC Rich List Again

The **Gary Lineker salary** remains a significant point of discussion as the former England striker has once again been confirmed as the BBC’s highest-paid on-air talent. According to the corporation’s latest annual report, the esteemed *Match of the Day* host earned between £1,350,000 and £1,354,999 in the 2022/23 financial year. This figure, funded by the public license fee, marks the sixth consecutive year that Lineker has topped the earnings chart, a testament to his enduring status as the face of the BBC’s flagship football coverage.

Despite a turbulent year that saw him briefly suspended from his presenting duties following a public dispute over impartiality, his pay packet remained unchanged from the previous year. The revelation places him significantly ahead of the corporation’s second-highest earner, Radio 2 breakfast show host Zoe Ball, who earned between £980,000 and £984,999. The consistency in his earnings underscores the BBC’s valuation of him as an indispensable asset, crucial to the success of programmes like *Match of the Day*, which continues to draw millions of viewers every weekend during the Premier League season.

Unpacking the Gary Lineker Salary Figures

The annual report from the BBC provides a transparent look into the earnings of its top stars, a practice implemented to foster public trust and accountability. For the 2022/23 period, the **Gary Lineker salary** places him in a league of his own within the corporation. His earnings eclipse those of other prominent sports and news presenters. For instance, his *Match of the Day* colleague, Alan Shearer, is listed in the £445,000-£449,999 bracket, highlighting the premium placed on the lead anchor role.

The figures published in the report only account for money paid directly by the BBC. This means Lineker’s substantial income from external commercial deals, most famously his long-standing partnership with Walkers crisps, and his successful production company, Goalhanger Podcasts, are not included. When considering his overall net worth and annual income, his BBC salary is just one component of a much larger financial portfolio, cementing his status as one of the most successful media personalities in the United Kingdom. This context is crucial for understanding why the BBC is willing to pay such a premium; they are securing a personality whose brand and appeal extend far beyond their own channels.

The Context of a Controversial Year

The stability of Lineker’s salary is particularly noteworthy given the events of March 2023. He was asked to “step back” from presenting *Match of the Day* after a tweet in which he compared the language used in a UK government asylum policy announcement to that of 1930s Germany. The BBC cited a breach of its impartiality guidelines, sparking a national debate and an unprecedented crisis for its sports department.

The fallout was immediate and widespread. In an extraordinary display of solidarity, fellow pundits Ian Wright and Alan Shearer, along with a host of commentators and reporters, refused to appear on the show. This led to a historic, shortened 20-minute episode of *Match of the Day* airing without any presenters, commentary, or analysis. The public backlash against the BBC’s decision was immense, and within days, the corporation reversed its position. Director-General Tim Davie issued an apology and announced a review of the social media guidelines for freelance presenters. Lineker was reinstated, and his return was seen by many as a victory for freedom of speech and a recognition of his immense value to the broadcaster.

A Career Built on Goals and Gravitas

To understand why the **Gary Lineker salary** commands such a figure, one must look at his dual-pronged career as both an elite