BBC host Gary Lineker gets paid 13 times what Jimmy Hill did but has a SMALLER audience
GARY Lineker earns 13 times more than ex-Match of the Day host Jimmy Hill but has a fraction of his audience.
Hill regularly attracted 12million viewers but only earned £50,000 — which is £130,000 in today’s money.
Lineker, whose BBC package is £1.75million, was watched by just 3.36million on one Saturday night last season.
Gary, 58, is the BBC’s top-paid star. He hosted Match of the Day 34 times last season, 47 hours in total.
He also presented 11 FA Cup live and highlights shows, lasting 26 hours 45 minutes.
Hill, who died in 2015 aged 87, hosted the show between 1973 and 1988.
He was credited with revolutionising TV footie coverage and remained with the BBC until 1999.
Lineker’s salary is also more than other MOTD hosts who had to leave the BBC to boost pay.
Des Lynam, on £300,000 (£510,000 today), quit in 1999 after 11 years.
Football Focus and Grandstand host Bob Wilson was paid £150,000 (£250,000 today) when he joined ITV in 1994.
An insider said: “In the old days big names had to jump ship to get a significant pay rise.
"Nowadays people just seem to stay put to get big salaries."
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A BBC spokesman said: “It’s ludicrous to compare salaries from 30 years ago, before Sky and BT Sports launched, to today’s presenting team.
"It’s well known presenters can earn far more elsewhere.”
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FANCY that! Gary Lineker earns £1.75million for his BBC work.
This includes presenting Match of the Day which can attract a Saturday night audience of fewer than 4million viewers.
Jimmy Hill pulled in viewing figures of 12million on the same show, but only earned £130,000 in today’s money, 13 times less than Lineker.
It’s a funny old game.
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