The 10 Highest-Paid British Football Pundits in 2026: Who’s Top of the Telly Tree?
The numbers are in: the highest-paid British football pundits of 2026 – led by Gary Neville on a cool £1.1m and chased by Jamie Carragher on £1m – show just how central punditry has become to the football circus. In a landscape dominated by BBC Sport, Sky Sports and TNT Sports, with Amazon Prime and CBS Sports muscling in, the telly game has never been richer or more relentless. According to figures collated from Sportscasting and other outlets, these are the headline earners as of 7 October 2025 – and the cheques are every bit as glossy as the broadcast graphics.
If you fancy a flutter while you’re glued to the weekend’s action, have a look at our best betting sites – but first, here’s who’s cleaning up in the studio.
10) Ian Wright — £150,000
A bona fide national treasure and a voice that cuts through the noise. Wrighty’s passion for the women’s game and the men’s alike elevates any broadcast. He took a pay trim a few years back and now sits around £150k from BBC duties, but in terms of warmth, insight and big-game nous, he’s still priceless.
9) Chris Sutton — £200,000
Blunt as a winter wind and twice as bracing. Sutton’s BBC portfolio – from 5 Live’s 606 to Match of the Day slots – plus stints with Sky on Scottish football, makes him a must-hear. You won’t always like his verdicts, but you’ll never be in doubt about them.
8) Micah Richards — £205,000
Sunshine in human form, but don’t confuse the laugh with a lack of substance. Richards, across BBC, Sky and CBS, brings energy, elite-player perspective and the chemistry that producers dream of. Around £205k on the BBC card last year, and he’s box office on any panel.
7) Alex Scott — £205,000
A trailblazer with a CV to match the delivery. The former England and Arsenal right-back (140 caps for the Lionesses) anchors Football Focus, steps into MOTD2 and fronts WSL and FA Cup coverage. Fearless on the big calls, measured on the tactics, and valued accordingly.
6) Gabby Logan — £210,000
Polished, versatile, unflappable. Logan’s remit runs from Match of the Day presenting to major tournament coverage, and she fronted the 2024 Olympics for the Beeb. Add Amazon Prime duties – including Champions League and Premier League nights – and you see why she’s trusted on the sport’s biggest stages.
5) Mark Chapman — £325,000
The conductor who keeps the orchestra in time. Chapman leads MOTD2 and is a cornerstone of the BBC’s radio and rugby output, while also steering Sky’s League Cup coverage. He’s now co-hosting Match of the Day in its new era – a steady hand, sharp mind, and worth every penny of a hefty BBC package.
4) Wayne Rooney — £400,000
After a bumpy ride in the dugout, Rooney’s settled into the studio with a major BBC deal for the revamped Match of the Day. The ex-England captain offers frontline, modern-dressing-room perspective, with weekly Premier League analysis and World Cup 2026 duties on the slate. It’s already clear he adds edge and credibility.
3) Alan Shearer — £440,000
The Premier League’s record goalscorer still hits the target on air. Shearer remains a BBC mainstay on MOTD and FA Cup broadcasts and pops up on Amazon Prime when the midweek lights come on. He reportedly took a trim on previous terms, but the authority hasn’t budged an inch.
2) Jamie Carragher — £1,000,000
Sky’s tactical professor and CBS’s transatlantic traffic-stopper. Carragher breaks games open on the touchscreen, isn’t afraid of a row, and pairs forensic detail with showbiz timing. A seven-figure annual take reflects the gold standard of a decade spent setting the debate.
1) Gary Neville — £1,100,000
Still the biggest box-office draw. Neville’s Sky anchor role, ITV tournament shifts, and entrepreneurial side-projects (including The Overlap) underline his influence. He marries coaching insight with a boardroom lens, and while he divides opinion, he always drives the conversation – which is why he tops the pay league.
The bigger picture
What does the money tell us? That football on TV is no longer just pictures – it’s talent, tone and trust. The BBC leans on heritage and reach; Sky perfects the theatre; TNT muscles in with edge; Amazon and CBS add gloss and global pull. Put simply, the right pundit can turn a decent match into must-watch telly – and the market pays accordingly.
Figures via Sportscasting and BBC-related reporting; correct as of 07/10/25.
