BT Sport Wants Rio Ferdinand As Football Pundit Should He Retire This Season

ManU player Rio Ferdinand, whose contract expires at the end of the season, "has been offered the opportunity to become BT Sport’s main football pundit," according to Charles Sale of the London DAILY MAIL. The TV network "wants a marquee football name" as its leading analyst after paying £738M ($1.1B) for the rights to 38 Premier League games in each of the next three seasons. Ferdinand "would be their first choice if he decides to retire." Ferdinand, who is "heavily involved in a number of his own media projects, is understood to have other broadcasting offers, too." However, it "would be a surprise if he hangs up his boots so soon to start a TV career." Meanwhile, League Two Accrington Stanley player James Beattie "impressed in pundit screen-tests for BT, though they will want a bigger name for their top-flight coverage" (DAILY MAIL, 2/18).