The $37.9 million revenue milestone

Goalhanger, the production company behind hit podcasts like The Rest is Football and The Rest is History,has topped the Sunday Times' list of Britain's fastest-growing companies with a 321% average annual revenue increase.

The company reported revenues of £37.9 million in 2025, with its annual average growth rate soaring by 321 percent over the past three years.

Goalhanger is the production house behind several popular podcast franchises, including The Rest is Football co-hosted by Lineker, Alan Shearer, and Micah Richards; The Rest is History; The Rest is Politics featuring Rory Stewart and Alistair Campbell; and The Rest Is Entertainment with Richard Osman and Marina Hyde.

The company's name is a nod to Lineker's football carreer and has seen significant growth since he stepped down from his 26-year role as presenter of BBC's Match of the Day in May 2025.

Post-BBC media empire expansion

Goalhanger employs 80 people at its London headquarters and is co-owned by Lineker, Tony Pastor (a former ITV sport controller), and former journalist Jack Davenport.

According to Companies House, Lineker holds at least a 25 percent equity stake,which contributes to his estimated net worth of £30 million.

The company's podcasts attract more than 750 million listeners, with popularity notably increasing during the pandemic.

Partnership with The Chernin Group

In January, Los Angeles-based investment firm The Chernin Group (TCG), led by media mogul Peter Chernin, purchased a minority share in Goalhanger,with partner Greg Bettinelli joining as a director.

TCG has produced blockbuster films such as Planet of the Apes and The Greatest Showman.

Additionally, Goalhanger launched its own venture capital arm this year to invest in startup media businesses, further expanding Lineker's digital media empire.

Broader context

Goalhanger's success highlights the exponential rise of podcasting and its founder Gary Lineker's post-BBC media empire.

The company's growth is part of a larger trend in the media industry, with many companies shifting their focus to digital content and podcasting.

Lineker's decision to step down from his role at the BBC and focus on his podcasting venture has paid off, with Goalhanger becoming one of the fastest-growing companies in the UK.

Open questions

What impact will Goalhanger's continued growth have on the media industry as a whole?

Will other companies follow in Goalhanger's footsteps and invest in podcasting and digital media?

How will Lineker's post-BBC media empire continue to expand and evolve in the coming years?