Gary Lineker’s The Relaxation Is Soccer podcast has earned him £125,000 because the begin of Euro 2024, it has been claimed amid rows over the BBC pundit’s outspoken statements.
The previous England striker, 63, was slammed by Harry Kane final week after he branded the nationwide group’s efficiency ‘s**t’ in a searing verdict of their draw towards Denmark.
And the £1.35-million-a-year broadcaster additional confronted rebuke after he was accused of flouting BBC promoting guidelines when he appeared to put on his personal vary of menswear throughout England’s opening recreation towards Serbia.
However regardless of his controversies, downloads of Lineker’s present – which additionally stars Alan Shearer and Micah Richards – seem to have rocketed since his criticism of Southgate’s aspect.
That is highlighted by the episode the place the pundits defend themselves towards Kane’s accusations receiving greater than 530,000 views – making it the podcast’s third most-watched episode on YouTube.
And the pundit seems to have earned greater than £125,000 since their first recreation, analyisis of The Relaxation Is Soccer’s efficiency statistics and promoting charges by The Occasions suggests.
The previous England striker, 63, was slammed by Harry Kane final week after he branded the nationwide group’s efficiency ‘s**t’ in a searing verdict of their draw towards Denmark
And the £1.35-million-a-year broadcaster additional confronted rebuke after he was accused of flouting BBC promoting guidelines when he appeared to put on his personal vary of menswear
Advertisers pay £45 per 1,000 views to have their promotions voiced by the presenters on the present, or £15 if they don’t seem to be spoken by them, trade sources informed the broadsheet
Lineker’s son, Harry, who produces the soccer podcast, revealed earlier this week that the present’s downloads have risen by 62 per cent because the begin of the competitors, whereas views on YouTube are up 83 per cent.
Advertisers pay £45 per 1,000 views to have their promotions voiced by the presenters on the present, or £15 if they don’t seem to be spoken by them, trade sources informed the broadsheet.
The charges are so excessive as a result of audiences for the manufacturing firm Lineker collectively owns – Goalhanger Podcasts – are mentioned to be a extremely engaged and upmarket.
In addition they make The Relaxation is Politics and The Relaxation is Historical past – who collectively get as a lot as 40 million downloads each month.
One of many firm’s co-owners – alongside Lineker – is Tony Pastor, the previous head of sport at ITV. He revealed in a latest interview that The Relaxation is Soccer pays its presenters ‘handsomely’.
It comes after the pundits had been accused of counting on ‘shock-jock’ moments which are then amplified over social media, with former gamers together with Jamie Carragher and Richards gaining a big viewers on Stateside community like CBS.
Listeners have highlighted the extra outspoken tone being adopted by Lineker and the others this summer time, with one sports activities producer placing it right down to the launch of his podcast in August.
He notably hit the headlines as he branded their 1-1 draw towards Denmark as ‘s***’.
Gary Lineker labelled England’s efficiency ‘s***’ after their 1-1 draw with Denmark
Rio Ferdinand, left, and Micah Richards, proper, additionally closely criticised England’s show on the BBC
However Kane – who insists he’s totally match regardless of considerations over a again harm he sustained final season – returned the swipe at by underlining the truth that the previous England gamers, too, by no means received a world trophy throughout their careers.
‘I’d by no means need to be disrespectful to any participant, particularly a participant who has worn the shirt and is aware of what it’s wish to play for England,’ Kane mentioned.
‘However what ex-players who’re pundits now have gotten to grasp it is vitally arduous to not hearken to it now, particularly for some gamers who should not used to it or some gamers who’re new to the atmosphere.
‘I all the time really feel like they’ve a duty – I do know they have to be sincere and provides their opinion but in addition they’ve a duty of being an ex-England participant.
‘The underside line is we have not received something as a nation for a protracted, very long time and a variety of these gamers had been a part of that as nicely they usually know the way powerful it’s.’
Lineker was additional criticised after he was alleged to have damaged BBC pointers by showing to put on his personal vary of menswear throughout England’s opening recreation towards Serbia.
He was wearing a pale inexperienced T-shirt and sage jacket whereas fronting the company’s protection which was beamed to just about 15 million viewers.
They appear an identical to a £16 T-shirt and £55 jacket he’s pictured promoting on the clothes model’s web site.
Gary Lineker carrying his inexperienced shirt through the build-up to England’s Euros opener
He’s pictured modelling the same £16 T-shirt that’s marketed on Subsequent web site’s (pictured)
Mr Lineker was sporting a pale inexperienced T-shirt and sage jacket on Sunday evening which gave the impression to be from his assortment (pictured) with Subsequent
It’s understood that BBC Sport bosses spoke to Lineker to remind him of the rules, in keeping with The Telegraph.
The broadcaster didn’t reply when MailOnline requested them to verify this.
BBC employees had been mentioned to be livid by Lineker’s obvious disregard of the principles, with insiders claiming the previous England striker can do no matter he desires.
A BBC insider informed The Occasions: ‘Abnormal employees are nicely conscious of a bar on utilizing the BBC for self-promotion or business acquire, so nobody understands why Lineker will get particular dispensation. There’s a conviction that the goalposts are continuously moved for him and he’s past criticism or censure, which employees discover grossly unfair.’
And a high-profile presenter added: ‘Personally I would say he is pushing his luck.’
However a 3rd defended the pundit – saying: ‘There may be not an iota of unrest. We’re all fairly calm about it. The press like to hate him as a result of he’s so opinionated however he follows the principles for business model exercise all the time — almost.’
BBC guidelines stipulate that presenters ought to declare any offers or endorsements to advertise clothes.
MailOnline understands BBC Sports activities presenters put on their very own garments and are usually reminded of the broadcaster’s pointers.
