Gary Lineker has admitted that he would feel “slightly concerned” if he were still working in football at the BBC today given the substantial cost involved in securing rights to broadcast major tournaments.

Lineker, 65, said he believes there still remains “a place” for terrestrial broadcasting, adding that television networks must carry on adapting to a changing industry.

The former England captain, who fronted Match Of The Day for more than 25 years, departed the BBC in May last year following criticism over the way he expressed his political opinions on his social media accounts.

Speaking to ITV News, he said: “Things are changing and obviously the BBC, ITV, etc, need to work out and change with it to a degree, which I think they are doing – but I still think there’s a place at the moment.”

Lineker added: “But things do change and it will be interesting to see, particularly the area of sport, whether they can still justify having the rights for major tournaments.

“Things will shift in that sense as well. So sporting rights, I think I would be slightly concerned if I was still at the BBC doing football, in terms of them being able to afford the rights for major tournaments.”

The Broadcasting Act 1996 requires Ofcom to designate a list of so-called “crown jewels” to ensure that coverage of certain major sporting events, such as the Olympic Games and the men’s and women’s football World Cups, is widely available to audiences across the UK for free.

BBC Sport made a deal to share the cost of live coverage for the men’s Fifa World Cup in 2026 and 2030 with ITV.

Lineker said: “At the minute, one of the reasons that the terrestrial channels can afford it is because there’s not really a marketplace because of the rules that we have, the listed rules that certain games, World Cup games, etc, have to be on terrestrial television.

“So I think that’s something they’ll be wary of in the future.”

Lineker co-founded the media production company Goalhanger, which creates The Rest Is… series of podcasts.

In June, the business was named as Britain’s fastest-growing private company after recording £37.9 million in sales in 2025.

Lineker said: “The whole business has been an unqualified success really and I’m not quite sure it’s how it’s happened, but it’s subtly joyous and it’s probably given me as much satisfaction as anything I’ve done in my life.”

He added: “There’s nothing like football, right, there’s nothing like scoring a big goal in a big game. You cannot replace that, but the reason it was like that was because you never knew whether it would happen again.

“But aside from that feeling of exhilaration, this has probably given me more satisfaction than anything.”

Jim Gavin has emerged as the clear betting favourite to become the next Galway senior football manager after an extraordinary move in the market.

The six-time All-Ireland-winning former Dublin manager was initially available at 16/1 following Pádraic Joyce’s resignation on Thursday evening.

However, the live market on Friday subsequently listed Gavin at even money, ahead of Galway under-20 manager Kevin Johnson at 7/4 and Westmeath manager Mark McHugh at 2/1.

The dramatic change does not confirm that Gavin has been approached or is interested in the position. Managerial betting markets can be relatively small and may react sharply to speculation or a limited number of wagers.

Jim Gavin cut from 16/1 to evens

Gavin’s move is comfortably the most striking development since the first list of possible candidates was released.

A price of 16/1 represents a raw implied probability of approximately six per cent. Even money represents 50 per cent before the bookmaker’s margin is considered.

The 55-year-old has not managed at senior inter-county level since leaving Dublin in November 2019. His record, however, makes him one of the most successful managers in Gaelic football history.

Gavin led Dublin to six All-Ireland senior titles, including the historic five-in-a-row completed in 2019. Dublin also won seven consecutive Leinster championships and five National League titles during his seven seasons in charge.

More recently, he chaired the Football Review Committee responsible for developing the new Gaelic football rules. Gavin has previously spoken about his family roots in the west of Ireland, although his strongest documented family ties are to west Clare.

Mark McHugh continues remarkable market move

Mark McHugh has also attracted considerable support. The Donegal All-Ireland winner was reportedly introduced at 25/1 before shortening to 5/1 in the first major market update. He was subsequently listed at just 2/1 in Friday’s live prices.

McHugh’s reputation has risen significantly during his first season as an inter-county manager. He guided Westmeath to their second Leinster senior football title in May, defeating Dublin by 2-28 to 0-26 after extra-time at Croke Park.

His availability would be an obvious question, given the success he has enjoyed with Westmeath and the fact that preparations for the 2027 season are approaching.

Johnson shortens as O’Brien drifts

Kevin Johnson has shortened from 7/2 to 7/4 and remains the leading candidate with an existing role inside the Galway structure.

The Sligo native was appointed Galway under-20 football manager in 2025. He previously led Corofin to consecutive Galway senior championships in 2023 and 2024, Ballintubber to back-to-back Mayo titles and Tourlestrane to a Sligo championship.

Former Corofin manager Kevin O’Brien has moved in the opposite direction. O’Brien and Johnson began as 7/2 joint-favourites, but O’Brien had drifted to 15/2 by the time of Friday’s live market.

O’Brien nevertheless possesses an exceptional record, having managed Corofin to three consecutive All-Ireland club titles during a six-year reign.

Tony McEntee and Fitzmaurice backed

Tony McEntee has been cut substantially from 16/1 to 5/1. The former Sligo manager is currently part of Conor Laverty’s Down management team and previously worked with Mayo under Stephen Rochford.

Former Kerry manager Eamonn Fitzmaurice has also shortened sharply, moving from 20/1 to 8/1.

James Horan and Stephen Rochford have drifted. Horan moved from 5/1 to 7/1, while Rochford went from 6/1 to 10/1.

Galway appointment process still to begin

Galway GAA have said that a process to appoint the next senior football manager will be established shortly.

Joyce stepped down after seven seasons despite having two years remaining on his term. He leaves after guiding Galway to four Connacht titles and All-Ireland final appearances in 2022 and 2024.

The betting has changed dramatically since his departure, but the county board’s formal process will ultimately determine which candidates are genuinely available and interested.

For now, the market has delivered a remarkable early storyline: Jim Gavin has travelled from 16/1 outsider to even-money favourite in less than a day.

Betting prices are subject to change. Please gamble responsibly.

Terence Crawford and Jaron Ennis have never shared the ring, but their rivalry has continued to gather momentum as the two Americans exchanged words during the DAZN broadcast of Andy Ruiz Jr’s comeback against Damian Knyba.

The pair have been linked for years, dating back to Crawford’s time as undisputed welterweight champion when Ennis was emerging as one of the division’s most dangerous contenders. A fight never materialised, with Crawford instead vacating the belts and moving to super-welterweight to beat Israil Madrimov before a jump to super-middleweight to defeat Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez. He retired undefeated and a champion in five divisions.

Ennis has since established himself as a major force in his own right. After becoming unified champion at welterweight, ‘Boots’ moved up to 154lbs and stopped Xander Zayas in seven rounds to collect the WBA and WBO super-welterweight titles. He has made clear that undisputed status is now the goal, with WBC champion Sebastian Fundora and IBF champion Josh Kelly among the remaining belt-holders in his sights.

While Crawford has publicly stated that he wants to see ‘Boots’ do well, he has also offered some criticism. He previously argued that Ennis was being given too much credit for the Zayas victory and warned that his tendency to exchange could prove costly against the likes of Fundora or Vergil Ortiz Jr. He has also backed Fundora to beat Ennis and suggested Ortiz would punish the openings he has seen in the Philadelphia fighter’s game.

Ennis has largely brushed those comments aside, insisting Crawford’s opinions do not bother him and pointing out that the former pound-for-pound king is now retired. Alongside promoter Eddie Hearn, however, the Philly native has welcomed the idea of Crawford coming out of retirement to face him, even calling it ‘easy work’.

The tension resurfaced during Friday night’s Ruiz-Knyba broadcast, with Crawford making it clear that he believes he would have had too much for Ennis had they ever met. He also argued that ‘Boots’ will only receive the recognition he is seeking if he proves himself against elite opposition at 154lbs, specifically naming Ortiz and Fundora.

BOOTS AND BUD GOING AT IT 👀🔥🍿#TheFight | #RuizKnyba | Live NOW on DAZN and TNT ▪️ pic.twitter.com/5pe8AgGNfu

— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) September 5, 2026

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The exchange adds another chapter to a rivalry that seems likely to remain in the debate territory. Crawford appears content in retirement, while Ennis remains focused on cleaning out the super-welterweight division.

For now, the chances of them settling the debate in the ring appear remote. But with both men clearly willing to keep discussing the other, the argument over how a fight between them would have unfolded is unlikely to disappear any time soon.

Ennis is reportedly close to inking a unification deal with Kelly, which could take place towards the end of this year.

Coming to Minnesota, Kyler Murray had to navigate a reputation that he didn’t work a ton. Such a critique has now arisen from within the Twin Cities.

Mike Florio, the proprietor at Pro Football Talk, was the proprietor of the rumor. The football writer claims that a trusted source offered the update. Check it out: “The starting quarterback is showing up right on time and leaving as soon as the bell rings.” Not too long afterwards, there are then some quips about being there to work on Tuesdays — something Kirk Cousins didn’t do — before then joking that Murray could bring his PS5 with him.

Mike Florio, Kyler Murray, & Working in MIN

Upon first glance, the description isn’t particularly damning. Being on time and then leaving when the work is done sounds pretty reasonable.

The NFL, though, often isn’t a reasonable workplace.

An old school approach to football would insist that Murray is late if he’s not early (Tom Coughlin). Likewise, there’s a belief out there that not putting in the extra hours afterwards is an issue. Chris Simms, a former NFL passer, mentioned that being the quarterback means being “the hardest working guy on the team, you gotta be the guy that’s in the facility the most.”

Per Simms, that’s a “golden rule.”

Back in June, I got out to TCO for mandatory minicamp. Kyler Murray was made available to the media, allowing me to ask about how he planned on spending his summer time off. Work, not a vacation, was on Murray’s summertime menu.

Check out some of what I learned: “His response largely affirmed a desire to do precisely what [Kevin] O’Connell is asking. The summer time off won’t be time off, per Murray. Instead, the newcomer at QB will look to continue learning and growing in Minnesota’s offense. How well he does within this ambition is going to largely determine his ability to become the starter.”

At least on a public level, Murray said exactly what he was supposed to say. Mike Florio is saying, per a source, that things are a bit different inside of TCO Performance Center.

The Minnesota Vikings are a football team that is stuffed with quarterback talent. Among the leaders, there’s the presence of passers layered into that coaching staff in Kevin O’Connell, Josh McCown, and Wes Phillips, all of whom played quarterback prior to coaching.

And then there’s Kyler Murray as the Vikings’ QB1. He has won the competition but can’t grow too comfortable since all of J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer are on the roster. McCarthy, in particular, is shooting for that starting job even if he has been assigned to a depth position.

So, what do we do with the Kyler Murray hubbub that’s now out there for people to digest?

On a basic level, it’s hard to get too worked up about the issue. Murray is a 29-year-old former No. 1 selection who is now in a terrific setup. Throwing to Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison with that front five along the OL is a wonderful workplace environment. Nobody should need to motivate him. He’s a grown man and a professional.

Murray’s work ethic, or lack thereof, is tough to discern from the outside looking in. The Florio report is precisely that: a report. Maybe it contains at least some portion of truth. How much of that truth is being conveyed?

Kyler Murray will make his official Vikings debut next weekend when the Green Bay Packers arrive for the Week 1 game.

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.

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Tonight, multiple WWE stars were released before and during SmackDown. 10 names have emerged as several stars have been let go by the company suddenly, without warning.

Multiple WWE Superstars have been suddenly released during and before SmackDown

WWE has made it a habit of releasing stars regularly from the company over the past few years in big batches. While the company does release stars now and then when their contracts expire, big batches of releases over the years have become common as well.

Tonight, they did the same during SmackDown and before the show started as well. PJ Vasa and Jasper Troy were two of the stars who were confirmed to have been let go. But they were not the only ones. Elle Akesson soon confirmed that she had been released by the company as well. Now, Fightful‘s Sean Ross Sapp has reported that several other stars have also been released from the company, naming Wendy Choo, Braxton Cole, Adriana Rizzo, Zena Sterling, Anya Rune, Gary Wilson, and Marcus Brown.

The complete list of stars released so far can be seen below.

1. Wendy Choo
2. Adriana Rizzo
3. Zena Sterling
4. Anya Rune
5. Braxton Cole
6. Jasper Troy
7. PJ Vasa
8. Gary Wilson
9. Ellen Akesson
10. Marcus Brown

These are only the names revealed so far, and it has not been confirmed whether even more stars have been let go from the company. With the number of releases taking place, it should be noted that all of them were from NXT and developmental.

There were other such cuts last year as well, with several big names cut. Of the stars let go, Wendy Choo was at one time a regular on NXT, but has not featured there much in recent months, wrestling more on EVOLVE. She also became the EVOLVE Women’s Champion.

Meanwhile, Zena Sterling was a runner-up on LFG.