Match of the Day could be taken off the BBC if rival broadcasters have their way as they attempt to secure the rights to show the programme.
The BBC curently pay a whopping £211million to the Premier League for the rights to show the highlights programme every weekend on Saturday night and a repeat on Sunday morning.
However, off the back of the recent Gary Lineker controversy that saw the presenter briefly relieved of his hosting duties only to be reinstated soon after, other broadcasters are mulling over the idea of buying the show. Richard Masters, chief executive of the Premier League, confirmed that bidding for the rights to show the action for UK broadcasters would begin this year.
Three years have passed since there was last a bidding war between broadcasters as all organisations involved agreed continue their respective packages during the coronavirus pandemic.
According to The Telegraph, the competiton between homeland broadcasters to secure Premier League rights this year will be "fiercer than it has been for years".
ITV are one network that has been touted as a potential new home for Match of the Day, though it is unclear whether they are interested in bidding to pry it away from the BBC after so many years.
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Channel 4 have also emerged as potential candidates, given they recently secured the rights for England's UEFA Nations League fixtures and are aiming to expand their football coverage.
Should the BBC lose Match of the Day, it is unclear what that would mean for Lineker given his contract with the broadcaster is rumoured to run until 2025.
This is just the latest headache for the BBC, who are still reeling from the debacle surrounding Lineker that saw last weekend's Match of the Day air with no commentary, presenter or pundits.
Lineker had been suspended by the broadcaster on Friday afternoon after he refused to apologise for tweeting criticism of the Government’s bill on illegal migrants.
BBC director general Tim Davie admitted in a statement released on Monday that the whole saga had been "a difficult period for staff".
Meanwhile, Lineker took to Twitter to break his silence on the situation as he wrote: "After a surreal few days, I’m delighted that we have navigated a way through this.
"I want to thank you all for the incredible support, particularly my colleagues at BBC Sport, for the remarkable show of solidarity. Football is a team game but their backing was overwhelming."
