Ian Wright and Roy Keane are included amongst the pundits who will not be receiving pay rises, with ITV and BBC ready to freeze salaries of on-air talents.
The Arsenal and Manchester United heroes have become increasingly popular figures across football coverage across the UK. Wright can be seen across various channels including the BBC for their Premier League coverage - as well as on ITV for England internationals and FA Cup clashes.
In the meantime, Keane features on ITV, as well as a regular guest on Sky Sports’ coverage of the English top-flight. Despite the pair’s excellent work, it appears that they are set to miss out on pay boosts.
According to The Sun, pundits across the two channels have been told that nobody will be receiving pay boosts. The decision comes amidst plenty of controversy across the broadcasting landscape this year.
Wright was caught up in the BBC’s row with Match of the Day host Gary Lineker. The former Barcelona and Everton man was axed from screens after his tweet relating to the Government’s asylum policy.
A number of his punditry colleagues - including Wright - chose not to work for the BBC in the aftermath of that decision. Match of the Day, Football Focus and Final Score were all axed as a result.
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Following a stint away from the cameras and discussions with bosses, Lineker was eventually allowed back and has now resumed his on-screen commitments. Wright was still critical of the BBC hierarchy for the fallout.
He said: “For me, they made a hot mess. I’m telling you, this is all from high up, I can’t blame my man (the head of BBC TV Sport) Philip Bernie, the BBC Sports team. All of this is over a tweet.
“At some stage surely, heads have got to roll,” the Arsenal legend added. “The mismanagement levels of this is, I can’t even tell you, but it’s done, everybody knows how I feel about it. I’m just pleased that it’s kind of come to something.”
There have also been a number of controversial decisions across Sky Sports with bosses making a number of cost-cutting measures. Cult programme Soccer AM has been axed following a near 30-year stint on screens.
Long-serving reporter Geoff Shreeves is also thought to be among those who could lose their jobs with the broadcaster. On those decisions, a Sky Spokesperson said: "Our coverage of football is evolving to reflect the changing habits of our viewers and ensures we continue to deliver the best experience for customers.
"Our proposal would mean the creation of new roles, and the closing of some existing roles, and we are currently in a consultation period with our people."
