BT SPORT MAY PULL PLUG ON PUNDITS’ WAGES
BT SPORT have told their star pundits they face not being paid.
Ex-Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand, co-commentator Steve McManaman, main commentator Darren Fletcher and the likes of Jermaine Jenas, Robbie Savage and Chris Sutton could all miss out on appearance money.
It comes despite BT not giving refunds to viewers but instead offering a one-month credit or using subscriptions to make a donation to the NHS while they continue to sell broadband and TV deals. Football on TV has been on hold for nearly three weeks and other big-name pundits – including Martin Keown, Joe Cole, Glenn Hoddle and Karen Carney – have all been left without shows. But while the likes of Sky and other broadcasters are still paying their star names, BT Sport are ready to slash wage costs.
They have warned their stars they may not be paid for outstanding appearances, with many on pro-rata contracts. Normally, the pundits would be paid up at the end of the season even if they could not complete their allotted number of shows, just as long as they were available to go on air for games from the Premier League, Europe, WSL and non-League.
The pundits have been available all season before the March 12 shutdown but, despite being contracted to honour a set number of appearances, BT have told them that because of the coronavirus shutdown, they will not pay any shortfall that could save millions.
BT Sport and Sky could potentially get up to £750million back from rights payments if the Premier League fail to complete their season.