BBC and ITV Sport ‘warn football pundits there will be NO pay increases next season’
BBC and ITV Sport ‘warn football pundits there will be NO pay rises next season’ with star names like Roy Keane, Rio Ferdinand and Ian Wright set to suffer a ‘cap’ caused by industry wide cuts
- BBC and ITV Sport have reportedly told pundits they will not receive a pay rise
- Both terrestrial broadcasters provide coverage for club and international football
- Former players like Ian Wright, Roy Keane and Rio Ferdinand work as experts
Experts from two terrestrial sports channels in England have reportedly been told they will not receive a pay rise as part of next season’s football coverage.
Numerous former players have moved into expert positions in recent years as they transition from the field to the studio.
But those working at BBC Sport and ITV Sport have apparently been told their existing salary packages will not be further boosted next season.
The decision comes amid industry changes that have seen Sky Sports omit members of their presenting teams from iconic football show Soccer AM, it said. The sun.
Both the BBC and ITV have boasted that teams basked with former England and international stars for their coverage of the Qatar World Cup, and they continue to employ stars for their continued broadcast of cup competitions.
Former Man Untied captain Roy Keane works as a pundit for ITV Sport’s football coverage
Rio Ferdinand was part of the BBC’s coverage of the World Cup in Qatar last year
Ex-Manchester Untied captain Roy Keane was joined by the likes of his former Red Devils team-mate Gary Neville, Liverpool legend Graeme Souness and former Chelsea star Joe Cole.
The BBC, meanwhile, employed Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, Rio Ferdinand and Jermaine Jenas for its Middle East coverage.
Arsenal icon Ian Wright works for both broadcasters, covering club and international competitions.
An apparent pay cap means the celebrity lineups on both channels have to stick to the salaries they’re currently signed up for.
Former Arsenal icon Ian Wright works as a pundit for both broadcasters
Meanwhile, Sky Sports told their football presenters earlier in March that they had to reapply for their jobs at the company due to a proposed shake-up.
At the time, the mega-channel stated: ‘Our coverage of football is evolving to reflect the changing habits of our viewers and ensures that we can continue to provide customers with the best experience.
“Our proposal would mean creating new roles, and closing some existing ones, and we are currently in discussions with our people.”
The claim was refuted by Sky, who insisted the operation was about restructuring in a quest for evolution and diversity.