John McEnroe's BBC wage for working Wimbledon has tennis fans baffled

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John McEnroe's Wimbledon pay is once again causing consternation among fans

“He is one of the most popular and respected pundits in tennis," a BBC insider told The Times in 2023, defending the decision to hand the American a pay increase at the time. "And he provides a unique perspective to our coverage." And they weren't alone in backing that raise. Writing in her 2024 autobiography, Wimbledon: A Personal History, tournament legend and former BBC presenter Sue Barker also came to the defence of her former colleague. "Mac is the BBC’s highest-paid employee pro rota, and with good reason," she wrote. "The public love him. He was great to work with, always up for fun." Often a divisive character on court, the topic of McEnroe's pay has also caused a split among fans. And some of those tuning into the BBC believe he does enough to vindicate the cost. "McEnroe is worth every penny," wrote one supporter on X last year. "He is to tennis what Michael Johnson is to athletics - the very best money can buy."

McEnroe has commentated on Wimbledon for the BBC since 2004

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But not everyone is on board with McEnroe's bulging salary, with even certain colleagues counted among that number. For one, Martina Navratilova has in the past raised concern with the disparity between her pay and that of her male counterpart. To be the first to receive the latest Wimbledon news, join our WhatsApp community or Wimbledon newsletter Navratilova, 68, won Wimbledon nine times in her career, more than any other athlete in the tournament's history, male or female. But she took umbrage with the fact she'd earn only 10% of McEnroe's Wimbledon wage while speaking to BBC Panorama in 2018. "John McEnroe makes at least £150,000," she said, reflecting McEnroe's lower salary at the time. "I get about £15,000 for Wimbledon. And unless John McEnroe's doing a whole bunch of stuff outside Wimbledon, he's getting at least 10 times as much money."

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"John McEnroe makes at least £150,000 - I get about £15,000 for Wimbledon."

Former tennis champion and Wimbledon commentator @martina talks about the pay inequality at the BBC #BBCPanorama pic.twitter.com/qKMUnsypS0 — BBC Panorama (@BBCPanorama) March 19, 2018

One could make the argument that McEnroe's personality and more charismatic approach to punditry is what might make viewers more likely to tune in because he's part of coverage. But there's a serious argument to be had as to whether that equates to being 10 times as valuable as a legend like Navratilova. And there have been more recent questions asked as to whether McEnroe has proved his worth. One online detractor pondered: "Other than two weeks work during Wimbledon, what does John McEnroe do for the BBC to justify that salary?" Another critic commented: "How can the BBC justify paying John McEnroe £195,000 to commentate for a few hours per day over 14 days?"

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