John McEnroe was reportedly paid £205,000 or approximately $260,000, by BBC for his two weeks of commentary work at Wimbledon. As with most things in life and tennis, people were divided into factions over this. Some believe it is a fair remuneration while others think it to be an obscene amount for just two weeks of work. Nick Kyrgios too had something to say in this debate.
Kyrgios is outspoken about many topics in tennis but probably none more so then the tennis schedule and pay that players have to go with. Similar to how he feels that players aren’t paid enough for what they do, it seems the Aussie holds the same belief with McEnroe’s salary for the work he did.
Nick Kyrgios would ask for more than John McEnroe
Responding to the tweet that reported the salary paid to John McEnroe for his two weeks at Wimbledon, Nick Kyrgios suggested that at least players are fairly compensated at Wimbledon.
At least the players get paid what they are supposed to 😂😂😂😂😂😂 LOL
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) July 30, 2023
When asked what he would expect to be paid for putting in a similar two weeks of work in at the grass Major, Kyrgios opined that he would demand more than what he’d made last year as a runner-up. The premium salary is justified according to him since he’s been a finalist at Wimbledon.
Lol after making a final, a bit more then what I got paid
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) July 30, 2023
So going by Nick’s expectations, BBC would need to pay him a fee upwards of $1.3 million seeing as he made that much as a runner-up in 2022 against Novak Djokovic.
Love and hate for McEnroe
Kyrgios had his say but so did many other fans of the sport. While some enjoy listening to the American talk viewers through the matches, others think he is no longer as entertaining as he used to be. Some defended his pay while others ridiculed BBC for it.
Appreciate you don’t like him.. Point taken. But he will have been working 12hr days for the entire 2 weeks..appreciate its not digging ditches but hey ho. It’s more lucrative than tweeting about ITFs to 20 people tho eh.
— MatthewS (@fun_mat) July 29, 2023
So what. If that’s what uk and usa TV channels feels that’s what he’s worth, then sobeit and good luck to all parties. Why should it be questioned?
— Craig Gabriel (@crosscourt1) July 29, 2023
yeah but I think that is the only job he gets anymore now so from a yearly perspective not all of that great. Its not like he is making Stan Smith money from all of his shoe sales!
— Marcello Calicchio (@MarcelloCalicc1) July 29, 2023
Worth every penny. It’s not that much compared to other top commentators. Can’t agree with you on this point. Macs the best co commentator in the game.
— John O’Leary (@JohnOleary83) July 29, 2023
Given what the BBC has employed over Wimbledon that salary for McEnroe is a bargain, I’d listen to him any time rather than two presenters, Balding and Guha, who outside Wimbledon show zero interest in tennis. Mac gives the BBC coverage a much needed spark and credibility.
— Chris Gollop (@ChrisRGollop) July 29, 2023
But the detractors were certainly not holding back when voicing their disappointment with the report.
This is the first year that I actually thought he has past his sell by date. Still witty but his tennis knowledge on players outside the big 3 or 4 is pretty useless. I wouldn’t be bothered if they ditched him now tbh.He spurts the same old stuff although he’s not the only one.
— Gman (@GarryPa31881391) July 29, 2023
Honestly the whole John/Chrissie/Martina commentary every year every week is too much. Top tier legends no doubt but there’s much better analysts.
— Lily Savage (@DameLilySavage) July 29, 2023
Apologies from the USA you have to deal with this guy. He surfaces over here too at the majors with his awful commentary. Maybe only surpassed by his awful on-court behavior as a player. So many better options. Broadcasters must think the big name attracts viewers. Not this one.
— Variant488 (@Variant488) July 29, 2023
I can’t stand the guy, he is not worth the money
— Nadine (@NadinetTr) July 29, 2023
Love it or hate it, John McEnroe seems set to continue being around for a while yet. Next up we can expect to hear him again at the US Open a few weeks down the line.
