BBC's ultimate Wimbledon nightmare scenario - John McEnroe quits and TV bidding war begins
The BBC may face several obstacles in its attempts to revamp its Wimbledon coverage. The prestigious tennis tournament has long been broadcast on the free-to-air network, with radio commentary starting in 1924 and the first match being televised in 1937.
It is a partnership that stems back more than a century, but there has been speculation of a major overhaul. The BBC currently holds the TV rights until 2027, with TNT Sports able to broadcast the two singles finals live and also air highlights. The Times reported that the All England Club has shared concerns over the BBC's coverage of Wimbledon, comparing it with more modern outputs at other Grand Slams. While tournament organisers still favour the BBC's expansive reach, there are some potential issues that could harm the broadcaster's next renewal bid. Here's what a nightmare scenario would look like for the BBC.
John McEnroe leavesJohn McEnroe has been a cornerstone of the BBC's Wimbledon output since joining the commentary team more than two decades ago. The three-time champion can be controversial, but remains the company's star pundit.
An industry source told The Times: "John McEnroe is great - although he can split opinion - but some of the other presenters and pundits at Wimbledon seem out of touch and not really up to date with a lot of the players. There is obviously a balance to be struck to cater for those who like the traditional aspect of the BBC's Wimbledon coverage, but it definitely needs to look at what is happening in other tennis coverage."
McEnroe's insights are evidently appreciated by the BBC. It was revealed in 2024 that the 66-year-old had earned between £195,000 and £199,000 for 2023/24. Although it represented a slight dip in salary, it remains a sizeable sum for his work across the tournament.
Given the calls to replace other members of its punditry team, the worst-case scenario for the BBC would be to lose McEnroe to a rival broadcaster. A box-office analyst, his departure would leave a massive hole in the BBC's commentary booth.
It is claimed that the All England Club favours sticking with the BBC beyond 2027, even if other networks make more lucrative offers. However, the agreement with Eurosport in 2024, now being honoured by TNT Sports, gives a slight indication of how Wimbledon coverage could change in the future.
TNT already holds the rights to the Australian Open and French Open, alongside its existing Wimbledon deal. Meanwhile, Sky Sports has a dedicated tennis channel showing ATP and WTA events, with the network's star tennis attraction being the US Open.
The All England Club is said to prefer the BBC's greater accessibility, compared to its subscription-based rivals, with viewing figures for last year's men's final peaking at 8.8 million viewers across TV and online.
However, a lot can change in a year. Should the All England Club receive offers far exceeding the BBC's approximate £60m-a-year deal, a bidding war involving one or both of Sky and TNT could change the traditional landscape. Tournament chiefs may decide to break from tradition and further test whether fans are willing to pay to watch Wimbledon.