Gary Lineker is hosting Micah Richards and Alan Shearer in his spacious New York City apartment, which boasts large windows that provide a stunning view of the vibrant Times Square below. Richards’ hearty laughter fills the room as he explores the various entertainment options like a bar, foosball table, and darts board—essentially a dream bachelor pad for the upcoming World Cup. For the next five weeks, Lineker’s residence will also be featured on Netflix.
Lineker’s departure from the BBC came much sooner than anticipated. Ideally, he would have concluded his tenure in July after presenting his seventh World Cup final for the broadcaster. To many fans, Lineker’s hosting of the tournament alongside the BBC seemed like an everlasting partnership. However, in a recent episode of The Louis Theroux Podcast, he reflected on the relationship, stating it had “started to run out of love.” He mentioned that some opinions he expressed on social media should not have led to the controversies that marred his final months at the BBC, but sharing a picture of a rat alongside a pro-Palestinian post—despite being unintentional—was a serious misstep that jeopardized his hopes of covering another World Cup.
Gary Lineker will be presenting the World Cup from New York rather than the BBC’s ‘green box’ in Salford (Netflix)
Despite this unexpected turn, Lineker had plenty on his plate as the World Cup approached. His podcast network, Goalhanger, which was recently named Britain’s fastest-growing company, was already thriving, with shows like ‘The Rest Is History’, ‘The Rest Is Politics’, ‘The Rest is Politics: US’, ‘The Rest Is Entertainment’, and ‘The Rest Is Football’ frequently ranking in the top-10 podcast charts. Lineker debuted ‘The Rest is Football’ with Shearer and Richards during Euro 2024, adopting a tone that was more casual compared to the family-friendly style he had previously adhered to at the BBC. This new approach allowed him to speak freely, even causing a stir when he criticized England’s performance in their 1-1 draw against Denmark as “sh**.”
Lineker was aware of how to capture attention in today’s media landscape and felt liberated away from the BBC to express himself authentically. “No one would have listened if I had said England played ‘pretty bad’,” he quipped during a Netflix promotional event for ‘The Rest is Football’. Netflix sought to capitalize on this by transforming Lineker’s podcast into a daily television show; initial reports suggest a deal worth £14 million for 40 episodes during the tournament—capturing a podcast that he was already recording, despite it lacking rights to showcase any match highlights.
Consequently, Lineker will be in New York overlooking Times Square throughout the World Cup while the BBC broadcasts from the “green box” in Salford. Co-host Richards will still contribute to ‘The Rest is Football’, albeit through video link. While Netflix has dipped into streaming live sports events like major boxing matches, it hasn’t produced a daily TV show in any region yet. Executives are uncertain about audience reception for this new venture, but the company wanted a notable presence.
Thus, while Lineker won’t be directly competing with the BBC or ITV for World Cup viewers, he hopes to attract an impressive lineup of guest appearances. The show may include highlights like England defender Harry Maguire, who was recently omitted from Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad, sparking public disbelief from his family. Such moments could generate excitement and headlines, a crucial currency for ‘The Rest is Football’ to distinguish itself from rival platforms like ‘Stick to Football’, spearheaded by media mogul Gary Neville and his former professional colleagues.
Lineker on set with Alan Shearer and Micah Richards (Netflix)
Netflix retains “no editorial control” over ‘The Rest is Football’, given it is produced by Lineker’s own company, allowing him the freedom to discuss the various off-pitch controversies that are expected to dominate the World Cup, following his impactful opening monologue for last year’s contentious tournament in Qatar. The first episode featured discussions surrounding Omar Abdulkadir Artan, the African referee who faced entry denial into the U.S. on the tournament’s eve. Lineker labeled this situation as “concerning,” referencing Gianni Infantino’s prior assurances that all would be welcome at the World Cup, before shifting to debates about England’s lineup and strategy.
And of course, banter will be plentiful; playful jabs at “Big Meeks” and light-hearted digs at Lineker’s legacy as the 1986 World Cup Golden Boot winner will pepper the conversations. The hosts are likely to share entertaining stories from New York’s nightlife scene, making their show not just about football but also about the experiences surrounding it. Ultimately, while the show’s true success lies in producing moments that resonate and break through the noise, whether it can capture a sizeable audience remains to be seen.