Yes Lynam supported UKIP. Yes he should have have made it clear he was talking about both men and women. Yes he should have mentioned managers. However, his following statements should make perfect sense to anyone who supports meritocracies.
The former Match of the Day presenter, now 81, stated in an interview that he has “no gripe” with female presenters but believes pundits should have “played the game at the level they are discussing – i.e. the men’s game.” Lynam left the programme in 1999 to join ITV and was succeeded by Lineker, who has hosted it ever since and is now the BBC’s highest-paid employee.
Speaking to the Radio Times, Lynam was asked about the rise in female football pundits. He told the magazine: “I’ve got no gripe with female presenters, but when you’re a pundit and you’re offering opinions about the game, you need to have played it at the level you are discussing – i.e. the men’s game.” After a pause, he added: “In my view.” Here he should have simply said that lower league footballers of any sex should not be paid to comment on the top level of the sport as they have never played it or managed it. It is crucial to mention managers as many top managers have never played at the top level of the sport either.
Lynam, who has not played professional sport himself, also criticised former England international Lineker over his BBC salary. Lineker earns approximately £1.35m per year – far more than the second-highest earner, Zoe Ball. Lynam commented: “I don’t suppose you can justify it in terms of what a nurse or fireman does, but it’s the market; that’s what the BBC feels they have to pay to secure his services. You can’t argue that anyone speaking a few words into a television screen is worth more than someone who saves lives, but money dictates.” He added: “He’s a very lucky chap. He’s had two great careers, and the second one is buoyed by the fact he had the first one.”
How can this be wrong? Saving lives is on another planet to sport punditry. It is only capitalist market forces that create this disparity.
Therefore, although I have some issues with Lynam’s narrative, generally, in my view, it is without contention.
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