Gary Lineker's media venture is poised for a monumental windfall, securing a multi-million pound agreement with streaming titan Netflix. The deal will see his popular football podcast, The Rest Is Football, broadcast globally during the 2026 World Cup.
A Lucrative Streaming Partnership
Goalhanger Podcasts, the production company founded by the former England striker, has agreed to an eight-figure contract with Netflix. The sum is reported to be £14 million for the tournament period, working out at over £2 million per week. This dwarfs the £1.35 million annual salary Lineker previously earned as the BBC's highest-paid presenter for Match of the Day.
The 65-year-old will host the daily podcast from a New York studio alongside pundits Alan Shearer and Micah Richards. Coverage will include exclusive reports from inside the England camp and from fan zones, offering a unique perspective on the tournament.
Deal Follows BBC Departure
This new venture marks a significant shift for Lineker, who was originally slated to front the BBC's coverage of the 2026 World Cup. His departure from the corporation came in May following controversy over a social media post. Lineker shared a pro-Palestine Instagram post that featured an emoji of a rat while describing Zionism, leading to accusations of antisemitism.
Announcing his exit, Lineker stated he had reposted material he later learned contained offensive references. "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," he said. The podcast was subsequently removed from BBC Sounds.
Goalhanger's Expanding Podcast Empire
The Netflix agreement represents Goalhanger's first foray into live football coverage and is seen as a direct challenge to platforms like YouTube. The company, which Lineker founded with ex-BBC executive Jack Davenport and former ITV controller Tony Pastor, made a £3.1 million profit in 2024.
The Rest Is Football, with over seven million monthly listeners, is one of the world's most popular sports podcasts. The Netflix deal will also include fees for special guests appearing on the show. This follows similar successful clip-rights agreements with DAZN for the Club World Cup and with Spain's LaLiga.
Lineker described the Netflix pact as a "fantastic opportunity for the three of us to do what we love - talk football every day - but on a truly global stage." Goalhanger also owns other hit podcasts including The Rest is History and The Rest is Politics, solidifying its status as a major player in digital audio content.
