A Controversial Exit
Gary Lineker's exit from the BBC came after he posted an Instagram image that invoked an antisemitic trope, a move that sparked immediate controversy and led the corporation to part ways with its most recognizable football face.
The former England striker did not linger in silence; instead he turned his attention to a new venture with Goalhanger, the media company he co‑founded that recently sealed a £14 million agreement with Netflix and secured investment from The Chernin Group.
Goalhanger's portfolio of podcasts, from the chart‑topping The Rest is Football to the history‑driven We Have Ways of Making You Talk, has resonated with millions, propelling the platform to the upper echelons of Apple and Spotify rankings.
A New Chapter with Goalhanger
Lineker's journey to this point began with a playing career at the sport's elite clubs, a transition into broadcasting that saw him appointed the BBC's lead football presenter in 1999, and a 2002 effort that helped rescue Leicester City from financial collapse.
As the world looks toward the upcoming World Cup, Lineker has voiced unease about the political undercurrents and ticket pricing that have marred previous tournaments in Brazil, Russia and Qatar, warning that the spectacle may be overshadowed by controversy.
Podcasts Reach Global Audiences
The Rest is Football will soon bring together Lineker, Alan Shearer and Micah Richards for a special World Cup edition, a lineup that fans will recognize from the popular podcast and that draws comparisons to Gary Neville's The Overlap.
Beyond football, his other shows, including The Rest is History, have turned hosts Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook into international stars, while his co‑hosted We Have Ways of Making You Talk with historian James Holland and comedian Al Murray blends war stories with humor.
Through it all, Lineker remains aware of the tension that social‑media commentary can create with traditional broadcasters, a dynamic he navigates as he balances his role at ITV Sport, CBS Sports and Global.