John McEnroe's salary change at BBC revealed weeks after his pay had Wimbledon fans baffled
Tennis legend John McEnroe has been one of the BBC 's highest-paid on-screen talents over the years, but his salary with the broadcaster is understood to have changed. This comes after questions were raised about the American's value to the corporation from tennis fans.
McEnroe, 66, has been part of the BBC's major coverage for over two decades, having first appeared in 2004. The three-time Wimbledon champion is highly regarded for his court experience and insightful commentary, not to mention his willingness to voice controversial opinions.
The BBC's annual accounts for 2023/24 revealed McEnroe received between £195,000 and £199,000 during that period. Given his only work for the British broadcaster revolves around Wimbledon, this translates to a daily rate of approximately £14,000.
There are others at the BBC who earn significantly more, with former Match of the Day host Gary Lineker topping the 2024/25 list on a salary of £1.35million. But no-one can match McEnroe's pay-per-day rate for two weeks' work at SW19.
However, it appears his pay has been altered. Following the release of the BBC's latest annual salary report, it is understood there has been a change to McEnroe's remuneration.
In fact, McEnroe was not even listed in the broadcaster's most recent payroll rundown. This includes every individual earning £178,000 or more.
Mirror Sport reached out to the BBC for comment, where it was confirmed McEnroe's remuneration for 2024/25 hasn't crossed the £178,000 threshold required for it to be disclosed in their salary report. Details of his actual earnings remain undisclosed, but it's clear there has been an adjustment to the American's pay.
Should this be the case, it would indicate a reduction for the second consecutive year in McEnroe's compensation . The exact reason behind this shift is currently unknown.
For the 2022/23 fiscal period, the seven-time Grand Slam champion received a salary in the region of £205,000 to £209,999. That figure represents the highest amount he has ever pocketed from the BBC.
The disclosure of McEnroe's salary previously sparked criticism among viewers; however, there are those who argue the tennis icon deserves his pay. Sue Barker, the former face of Wimbledon on the BBC, defended her former colleague in her 2024 autobiography, Wimbledon: A Personal History.
"Mac is the BBC's highest-paid employee pro rata, and with good reason," she wrote. "The public love him. He was great to work with, always up for fun."
Backing Barker's sentiments, fellow presenter Andrew Castle spoke to Globusbet this year and praised McEnroe: "John is a wonderfully, funny and well-weather guy. I can tell you this, when he is into a match and is concentrating and is engaged whilst enjoying it, there is no one to match. It's a thrill to sit there and listen to what he has to say."
In response to controversy surrounding John McEnroe's salary boost last year, one BBC source defended the tennis icon's increased pay to The Times: "He is one of the most popular and respected pundits in tennis. And he provides a unique perspective to our coverage."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
26 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Man Utd to open new-look £50m training ground which contains its own barbers
Manchester United's revamped first-team training centre at Carrington has set them back £50m but the new facility includes a barber as well as state-of-the-art facilities Manchester United's new £50million training ground is set to open next month and among its new additions is a barber as the club's chiefs hope it will foster a better environment for the players. The club's Carrington training ground has been refurbished by the architects Foster + Partners, who have also designed the proposed new 100,000-seat stadium that will replace Old Trafford. United are yet to publicly reveal images but the Times reports that the ground floor is only accessible for first-team players and support staff. It contains state-of-the-art equipment designed to help performance. Upstairs there will be a recreational area for players to relax. That will also be where the barber is housed and it is thought to be the first training ground to include such a perk. It remains to be seen whether United will employ their own barber or allow players to bring in their own. On the ground level, a flow system has been introduced which means the players visit the changing rooms, gym, pool, and medical and massage areas in the right order before they head to the pitches for training. State-of-the-art cryogenic chambers have been installed at Carrington and gym facilities have been upgraded. Sir Dave Brailsford, the Ineos sporting director and right-hand man of co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, had a major influence over the project and went to see similar facilities at American football teams to help inspire the design. Collette Roche, United's chief operating officer, was in overall charge of the project. After returning to the club in 2021 Cristiano Ronaldo was particularly critical regarding the lack of progress the club had made in improving their facilities. It has been accepted by those at United that the infrastructure has fallen well below that of their rivals. One of Ineos' main issues with the training ground prior to its revamp was the number of offices on the second floor. As a result the new building is open plan. Senior members of departments other than football, such as commercial, will be transferred from Old Trafford to Carrington. The hope is that the training ground will become the club's base of Amorim and his players will also get to return to their own space having been using the facilities of the academy teams over the past year which the building received its revamp. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Daily Record
28 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Kate Beckinsale shares emotional post after death of mum Judy Loe following cancer battle
"The world is so dim without her that it is nearly impossible to bear." British actress Kate Beckinsale has announced the death of her mother Judy Loe, following a battle with cancer. The Serendipity star posted an emotional tribute on social media on Thursday, July 17, confirming her mother had passed away "in her arms" on July 15, aged 78. Only a year earlier, Judy had been diagnosed with stage four cancer. Kate had a very close relationship with her mother, and lost her father at the age of five. The 51-year-old shared several photos of Judy, who was also an actress, with a heartbreaking caption just days after posting a video of herself singing to her mother in hospital. She said she was "paralysed" following Judy's death, citing her as "the compass of my life" before apologising repeatedly. Judy was known for roles including Dr Helen Sanders in the drama General Hospital, Princess May in the ATV series Edward the Seventh, and appeared multiple times as a guest star throughout her caree. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Kate's emotional post on Instagram reads: "I don't want to post this. I am only posting this because I have had to register my mother's death certificate, and it will soon become public record. "She died the night of July 15th in my arms after immeasurable suffering. I have not picked all the best photos, nor the best videos, because I cannot bear to go through my camera roll yet. "I deeply apologise to any of her friends who are finding out this way or through the press, but I cannot go through her phone. I am paralysed. Jude was the compass of my life, the love of my life, and my dearest friend. "This tiny woman's vastness and huge heart have touched so many people who love her dearly. She has been brave in so many ways, forgiving sometimes too much and believing in the ultimate good in people. "The world is so dim without her that it is nearly impossible to bear. Mama, I love you so much. This has been my greatest fear since finding my father dead at five, and I am here. Oh my Mama.. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. I am so sorry." In February this year, she had taken to social media to ask people to keep Judy in their thoughts, writing: "anyone who has a spare prayer or magic or miracle or sunbeam please send it to my mama, my most extraordinary, warrior, generous, humble, loving, unique, irreplaceable Mama."
Daily Record
28 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Masterchef's John Torode 'used N-word singing Kanye West song'
The former MasterChef judge is alleged to have used to N-word twice. John Torode was sacked from MasterChef for allegedly using the N-word twice. It was announced this week that his contract with the BBC would not be renewed following an upheld complaint. Production company Banijay said on Tuesday, July 15 that a probe into his co-star Gregg Wallace's behaviour by firm Lewis Silkin had "substantiated an accusation of highly offensive racist language against" John, 59. John however said in a statement: "I have no recollection of what I'm accused of." It's now been suggested that John, who had co-hosted the cooking show since 2005, used the N-word on two occasions, including at an gathering after work some years ago. John is said to vehemently deny ever using the racial slur though, reports the Mirror. The Sun reports that he repeated lyrics, containing the N-word, from Kanye West's song Gold Digger at an after-work gathering six or seven years ago. He's then said to have used the same word again whilst speaking to a staff member of the MasterChef production team. John allegedly used the word a second time when speaking to a member of the colleague, described as a "pal" who reportedly didn't take any offence. According to the outlet, the person who raised the complaint on that occasion is said to have been understood to have overheard the pair's conversation. His pal reportedly thought John used the slur as an "example" and "apologised afterwards". The Sun adds that it's been told that John vehemently denies having ever used the N-word, whether that be in song lyrics or otherwise. A source said that he's "utterly devastated" and "just wants to clear his name" amid the scandal. A source told the outlet that "one of the allegations" is that he used the N-word while repeating Gold Digger during a gathering with some colleagues when filming had concluded. They said: "John is adamant he would never have used the N-word and only knows the radio version of the song which says, 'Now I ain't sayin' she a gold digger, but she ain't messin' with no broke, broke'." The source, who said that he only knows the clean version of the song, claimed that the complainant "didn't say anything" at the time and that John only found out that the issue had been raised a few weeks ago. They added that he doesn't "recall it" and said: "He insists he would never have repeated the N-word in those lyrics because he only knows the radio edit of that song." Addressing the apparent second allegation, a source told the Sun that John did not recall using the N-word, saying that he is "adamant" that he would "never" use that word in a conversation. They claim that someone who "overheard it" complained, not the person he's alleged to have said it to, whom he's said to have been "close" to whilst working together. The source said: "Even the person who John was supposedly having the overheard conversation with said he had mentioned the word in reference and apologised straight away." They added that he John "cannot recall" the alleged conversation and "would never" use the racial slur in question. They said that he "knows it is unacceptable". The source further suggested to the outlet that during a meeting over the complaint John was in "disbelief" because the presenter "insisted" that he would "never" had used the N-word. A source also said that John "abhors" that kind of language and doesn't recall "reciting a racist slur in a lyric" or "directing one" to a colleague at work that he "considered a friend". They said that he is "devastated" by the situation. Earlier this week, the BBC said: "John Torode has identified himself as having an upheld allegation of using racist language against him. This allegation, which involves an extremely offensive racist term being used in the workplace, was investigated and substantiated by the independent investigation led by the law firm, Lewis Silkin. John Torode denies the allegation. "He has stated he has no recollection of the alleged incident and does not believe that it happened. He also says that any racial language is wholly unacceptable in any environment. The BBC takes this upheld finding extremely seriously. We will not tolerate racist language of any kind and, as we have already said, we told Banijay UK, the makers of MasterChef, that action must be taken. John Torode's contract on MasterChef will not be renewed." Shortly after, John posted in a statement: "Although I haven't heard from anyone at the BBC or Banijay - I am seeing and reading that I've been 'sacked' from MasterChef and I repeat that I have no recollection of what I'm accused of. The enquiry could not even state the date or year of when I am meant to have said something wrong. "I'd hoped that I'd have some say in my exit from a show I've worked on since its relaunch in 2005, but events in last few days seem to have prevented that. Over the past few months, I have been considering my life and the shape of it now and in the future. " Celebrity MasterChef, which I recently filmed with Grace Dent along with two fantastic Christmas specials will be my last. Personally, I have loved every minute working on MasterChef, but it's time to pass the cutlery to someone else. For whoever takes over, love it as I have. "I will watch fondly from afar as I now focus on the many other exciting projects that I have been working towards. My tummy will be grateful for a rest after 20 years of eating, but what a joy it has been. Life is everchanging and ever moving & sometimes personal happiness and fulfilment lay elsewhere. Thank you for the many years of MasterChef." As previously reported, production company Banijay said: "The legal team at Lewis Silkin that investigated the allegations relating to Gregg Wallace also substantiated an accusation of highly offensive racist language against John Torode which occurred in 2018. This matter has been formally discussed with John Torode by Banijay UK, and whilst we note that John says he does not recall the incident, Lewis Silkin have upheld the very serious complaint. Banijay UK and the BBC are agreed that we will not renew his contract on MasterChef." Prior to the news of his departure, John had confirmed that he was the subject of an upheld complaint. He said: "For the sake of transparency I confirm that I am the individual who is alleged to have used racial language on one occasion. "The allegation is that I did so sometime in 2018 or 2019, in a social situation, and that the person I was speaking with did not believe that it was intended in a malicious way and that I apologised immediately afterwards. "I have absolutely no recollection of any of this, and I do not believe that it happened. However, I want to be clear that I've always had the view that any racial language is wholly unacceptable in any environment. I'm shocked and saddened by the allegation as I would never wish to cause anyone any offence."
