Match of the Day future decided as BBC make Gary Lineker call

A record-breaking domestic television deal means that the BBC will continue to show Premier League highlights on Match of the Day.

It has been described as the largest sports media rights deal ever concluded in the UK.

The Premier League has agreed a new record £6.7bn deal for Sky and TNT Sports to show up to 270 live games a season from 2025 to 2029.

And as part of the history-making deal, it has been confirmed that Match of the Day will be able to broadcast highlights for all 380 matches each season.

In addition to the news, The Sun claim MOTD host Gary Lineker is set to agree a new contract with BBC bosses.

Lineker, who became the popular show's main presenter in 1999, will reportedly pen a £1.35million-a-year extension, which will see him continue as the BBC’s top-paid presenter.

The news comes just months after Lineker admitted that his time as Match of the Day host was "nearly up" after he was taken off the air.

Following comments on social media, Lineker was told to step back by the BBC before a boycott of the channel's sports programming took place on Saturday 11 March.

Commentators, pundits and presenters snubbed scheduled appearances in solidarity with Lineker, to the point the show went ahead without the iconic intro, commentary, analysis or interviews.

Lineker eventually returned to the BBC but the former Leicester City and Barcelona forward said he was unsure about his long-term future.

Image credit: Getty

In fact, he said that regular guest Jermaine Jenas was "drifting" towards his role, having been tipped by many to be Lineker's eventual successor.

"Obviously there are a lot of pundits who didn't make the list we were given," Lineker said on the BBC MOTD top 10 podcast ranking the best pundits alongside Micah Richards and Alan Shearer.

"The likes of Andy Gray, Danny Murphy who is a brilliant analyst, Jermaine Jenas - who is probably drifting more towards my role. I think Jermaine is doing it really well as well, doing The One Show."

Image credit: Getty

In regards to the deal, Premier League chief executive Richard Masters confirmed the latest UK TV packages in a statement, including a message about Match of the Day.

"We are delighted to announce new deals with Sky Sports and TNT Sports that will extend our partnership for a further four years and see more Premier League matches than ever before shown live from 2025/26 onwards.

"As longstanding and valued partners, Sky Sports and TNT Sports are renowned for consistently delivering world-class coverage and programming.

"We have enjoyed record audiences and attendances in recent seasons, and we know that their continued innovation will drive more people to watch and follow the Premier League.

"We are also extremely pleased to extend our partnership with BBC Sport, which will continue to bring weekly highlights of all Premier League matches to the widest possible audience in the UK.

"Match of the Day has been an institution for generations of football fans in this country and remains incredibly popular with fans of all ages.

"The outcome of this process underlines the strength of the Premier League and is testament to our clubs, players and managers who continue to deliver the world’s most competitive football in full stadiums, and to supporters, who create an unrivalled atmosphere every week."