Gary Lineker 'to present BT Sport's coverage after taking BBC pay cut'

Gary Lineker has reportedly agreed to a new non-exclusive contact with the BBC in a deal that has enabled him to front BT Sport's Champions League coverage.

Lineker has taken a pay cut at the BBC so that he can accept roles with other networks, starting with the top presenting role with BT Sport for their coverage of Europe's top tournament, according to a report in the Daily Telegraph.

The newspaper says Lineker's new deal will see him pick up less money from the corporation but will allow him to combine his presenting role there with jobs at other networks.

The former England striker will share presenting responsibilities with existing BT Sport anchor Jake Humphrey - who himself moved from the BBC to take his role at the broadcaster.

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The BBC is poised to announce that it has extended Lineker's contract, four months after securing the rights to Match of the Day until 2019, according to the newspaper.

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Thierry Henry, Gary Lineker, Rio Ferdinand (BBC)

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Lineker became the lead presenter of Match of the Day and the BBC's major football coverage in 1999 after Des Lynam moved to ITV.

He has previously presented Champions League matches for Al Jazeera, now known as beIN Sports, but not for a rival UK-based broadcaster.

Equally, Lineker's presenting roles for NBC in America did not breach his BBC contract, but the reported BT Sport move would represent a significant step in his broadcasting career.

As for Humphrey, the Telegraph reports that he has signed a new four-year contract at BT Sport which will see him continue to present their Premier League and FA Cup coverage.

Jake Humphrey (PA Photos)

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BT Sport is expected to announce its full line-up for the Champions League coverage at a press conference next Tuesday, as well as how much it will charge viewers.

It secured the UK rights to the Champions League for the next three years in an enormous £897 million deal.

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