Gary Lineker Places TV Production Company into Voluntary Liquidation Ahead of Tax Rises

Former England footballer and broadcaster Gary Lineker has placed his television production company, Goalhanger Films, into voluntary liquidation as the UK government prepares to raise capital gains tax rates. The move is seen as a strategic decision to minimize tax liabilities before the upcoming increase in tax rates.

Co-owned with former ITV controller Tony Pastor, Goalhanger Films reported net assets exceeding £440,000 in its last published accounts. The liquidation comes in response to the UK government’s announcement in the recent Budget that capital gains tax rates will rise from 10% to 14% in April, with a further increase to 18% in 2025. By liquidating the company now, Lineker and Pastor will be able to take advantage of the current lower tax rate on distributions from the company’s assets.

Tony Pastor confirmed that Goalhanger Films is being “mothballed,” allowing both he and Lineker to focus on their growing podcast venture, Goalhanger Podcasts. The podcast platform, which hosts popular series such as The Rest Is History and The Rest Is Football, reported net assets of nearly £591,000 earlier this year, reflecting the success and rapid growth of the podcasting business.

The liquidation of Goalhanger Films follows the process of Members’ Voluntary Liquidation (MVL), which allows solvent companies to wind down operations in a tax-efficient way. This process enables business owners to treat distributions from retained earnings as capital gains rather than income, potentially yielding significant tax savings under the Business Asset Disposal Relief framework.

Goalhanger Films, launched in 2014, produced high-profile sports documentaries featuring figures like Mohamed Salah and Serena Williams. However, the shift towards podcasts marks Lineker’s strategic adaptation to the evolving media landscape, where podcasts have become a more lucrative and popular format.

Although Lineker stepped down from hosting Match of the Day after a 26-year tenure, he continues to maintain a strong presence at the BBC. He holds contracts to present coverage for major events, including the FA Cup and the 2026 World Cup.

Lineker’s financial move offers valuable lessons for business owners and entrepreneurs, particularly in anticipating tax changes and making timely decisions to maximize financial benefits. Business owners looking to close solvent companies may also find the MVL process an effective way to unlock value efficiently. Additionally, Lineker’s pivot to podcasting highlights the importance of adapting to emerging markets and shifting focus to the most successful ventures.