Michael Owen Set To Join BBC As A Pundit After His Retirement At The End Of The Season

EPL Stoke City striker Michael Owen, who will retire from football at the end of the season, "is expected to become a BBC television and radio pundit," according to Charles Sale of the London DAILY MAIL. Owen "can consider himself fortunate to have the Beeb as likely employers when his occasional appearances on Match of the Day this season have not impressed rival channels." BT Sport "could have been expected to jump at the chance to sign such an illustrious footballer as Owen." But the world inside BT headquarters in the Olympic Park is that "Owen’s 'monotone' displays on the BBC have been considered 'poor,' although it will help Owen’s Beeb future" that its lead presenter Gary Lineker "has been supportive." The first confirmed pundit appointment for Owen is at Royal Ascot (DAILY MAIL, 3/19).