The BBC’s new Match of the Day presenting team are set to earn less than a third of Gary Lineker’s £1.35million annual salary when they take over next season.
Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman, and Gabby Logan were confirmed as the new hosts of the flagship football show earlier today.
The trio will reportedly be paid significantly less than current pundit Alan Shearer, who earns between £445,000-£449,999 for his role on the programme.
The move comes as BBC bosses look to cut costs while giving the long-running show a fresh make-up, with Lineker currently the broadcaster’s highest-paid presenter.
Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman, and Gabby Logan will take over from Gary Lineker
BBC
The BBC announced the new presenting line-up in a social media post, declaring: “New squad for next season!
“We’re delighted to announce that Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan will share Match of the Day presenting duties from 2025-26.”
The appointment marks a significant change for Cates, who will leave her role at Sky Sports where she has been a regular fixture on Premier League coverage.
Both Chapman and Logan already have established relationships with the BBC, with Chapman set to continue his radio commitments alongside the new role.
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The trio are reportedly content with sharing the presenting duties between them.
Cates expressed her enthusiasm for the new role in a statement to the BBC, saying: “I can’t wait to get started.
“I keep thinking about that moment where I’ll be sitting in the chair and the music starts, and I can’t wait for it to happen.”
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Gary Lineker is set to leave his role at the BBC at the end of the season
PA
The three presenters will split duties across both Match of the Day and Match of the Day 2.
Chapman recently hinted at the appointment on his podcast with Logan, The Sports Agents, saying: “Depending on what happens over the coming weeks, this could be my life for the next three or four years, who knows?”
Logan playfully responded: “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” followed by off-camera laughter.
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Kelly Cates is set to join Match of the Day after becoming a main presenter on Sky Sports
PA
Lineker confirmed his departure from Match of the Day in November after 26 years at the helm of the programme.
The 63-year-old will continue to present FA Cup coverage in 2025-26 and the 2026 World Cup before leaving the BBC entirely.
“It came at a point where really the BBC and Match Of The Day, they’ve got the rights for another three years, the cycle starts from next season so it felt like if I just do one more year it would be a bit weird,” Lineker said.
BBC executives, led by new director of sport Alex Kay-Jelski, are reportedly planning to introduce a news element to the show as part of its fresh direction.