Gary Lineker, the legendary footballer turned broadcaster, is about to score a HUGE win off the pitch! Word on the street is he's inked a multi-million pound deal with Netflix that's got the BBC seeing red.

The deal centers around Lineker's wildly popular podcast, "The Rest Is Football," a show loved by millions. His production company, Goalhanger, has reportedly sold the rights to the streaming giant. Netflix is clearly making a play for the podcasting big leagues.

Sources whisper the contract will dwarf Lineker's previous BBC deal, where he reportedly raked in £1.35 million a year. Ouch! The Beeb must be kicking themselves right now.

Imagine the scene: Lineker, Shearer, and Richards, going head-to-head with his former BBC colleagues from sunny US locations. It's the clash of the titans—podcast edition!

The podcast is set to go daily for the duration of the World Cup, a major upgrade from its current three-times-a-week schedule. Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, Lineker's trusty co-hosts, will be heavily involved in the expanded show, and fans couldn't be more hyped.

The news is like a dagger to the heart of the BBC, already facing scrutiny. Apparently, they were unable to secure the podcast after letting Lineker go earlier this year. Talk about a fumble!

An insider revealed, "It’s a really exciting deal and Gary is thrilled. It means he will be at the World Cup after all." This move not only keeps Lineker in the game but also introduces him to a massive global audience. Netflix clearly wants to get in the football game.

The insider continued, "It’s Netflix’s first real foray into football coverage, with a daily show built around the podcast."

And get this: it’s a family affair! "Netflix first approached his company a few months ago, and his son Harry will also be joining him Stateside as he’s a producer."

Netflix is making a serious power play to rival YouTube in the podcasting sphere, with heavy investment planned from 2026. Can they topple the reigning champ?

Remember Lineker's controversial exit from the BBC? It happened after a social media post concerning Zionism, which included a rat emoji – historically used as an antisemitic insult. It caused a media frenzy.

Lineker claimed he hadn’t noticed the rat emoji when he re-posted the story and later apologized for any offense caused. But the damage was done.

Lineker, known for his outspoken views on human rights, has often clashed with BBC bosses over impartiality rules. He's never shied away from using social media to voice his opinions.

In 2023, he was even briefly suspended from "Match of the Day" after comparing the Tory government’s asylum policy to Nazi rhetoric. Drama!

In solidarity, his co-presenters Shearer and Ian Wright boycotted the show, leaving it without any post-match analysis. Now that is what we call team spirit.

Currently, "The Rest Is Football" boasts a massive audience, with over eight million viewers on YouTube alone. It's also available on Spotify and Apple.

But with Netflix now in the picture, could it become even bigger? The podcasting world is waiting to see the impact of this deal.

This move is bound to ruffle some feathers at the BBC. Was letting Gary go their biggest mistake yet?

Will "The Rest Is Football" dominate the World Cup coverage? It's shaping up to be an epic battle for football podcast supremacy.

Stay tuned for more updates as this story unfolds. This is one power play you won't want to miss!

Official announcement of the deal will be released by Netflix tomorrow, so keep your eyes peeled!

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