How Neville and Lineker became rival podcast moguls

Sport InsightHow Neville and Lineker became rival podcast mogulsPublished4 minutes agoImage source, BBC SportByDan RoanSports editorGary Lineker's final game in English football was in May 1992, a few months before Gary Neville made his debut for Manchester United.But while two of England's most capped internationals never crossed paths on the pitch, they have since emerged as rivals in business.Lineker and Neville are now two of the biggest players in a rapidly changing media industry, each with their own digital empires, via their Goalhanger and Overlap platforms respectively.So what lies behind this phenomenon? Is it the future of sports media? And which of them is winning? BBC Sport takes a closer look.How both Garys grew media empiresImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Lineker scored 48 goals in 80 games for England during his playing careerThe recent acquisition by Neville's 'The Overlap' network of United influencer Mark Goldbridge's YouTube channels was a reminder of the influence the former Manchester United defender-turned Sky pundit now wields in football's media industry."We are building what we believe will become one of the most exciting independent football communities in the world - one that gives fans direct, personality-led content," said co-chair Neville at the time.Having co-founded the sports entertainment production company Buzz16 a decade ago, Neville launched YouTube platform The Overlap in 2021. Featuring the long-form discussion show 'Stick to Football', alongside interviews and fan debates, and sponsored by Skybet, it went on to become one of the UK's most popular football content channels, claiming 2.2 billion views across all platforms in 2025, and with ambitions to become the "biggest non-live football platform in the world".With Buzz16 also producing content for a range of broadcasters, including the BBC's WSL coverage, and TNT's rugby union programmin...