Micah Richards net worth is back in the spotlight after the former Manchester City and England defender revealed when he plans to retire from television punditry. The BBC, Sky Sports and CBS Sports analyst has built a successful media career since retiring from football in 2019, prompting fresh interest in his salary, earnings and podcast success.
Richards, who retired from professional football in 2019, has become one of the most recognisable football pundits in the game. He regularly appears on BBC, Sky Sports and CBS Sports broadcasts, while also co-hosting The Rest Is Football podcast alongside Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer.
Micah Richards Reveals BBC, Sky Sports And CBS Exit Plan
Speaking to The Telegraph, Richards said he intends to leave mainstream football broadcasting before the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
“I’ll be out of all this by the time I turn 46,” he said.
“You won’t see me on any mainstream media beyond the 2034 World Cup. That will be the last time I am on the BBC or Sky or CBS. I’ve told them all this and they think I’m joking. I’m not.”
However, Richards made it clear that his decision is not driven by a lack of enjoyment. Instead, he wants to focus on projects that support young people after spending most of his life in football.
“I’ve given so much of my life to football since leaving school at 14, but when the time comes, I want to make a difference to people’s lives at a grassroots level – to help those who need it most, especially young people,” he said.
Richards added that he hopes to create opportunities for young people from communities similar to Chapeltown in Leeds, where he grew up.
Micah Richards Salary, Sky Sports Earnings And Podcast Income
Since retiring from football, Richards has built a successful broadcasting career across several major networks.
He is a regular pundit on BBC’s Match of the Day, features on Sky Sports’ Premier League coverage and also appears on CBS Sports’ Champions League broadcasts.
In addition, Richards co-hosts The Rest Is Football podcast with Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer. The podcast has become one of football’s most popular shows, with Netflix reportedly paying £14 million to stream it during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Although the BBC does not publish his current salary, its 2021/22 annual report showed Richards earned about £200,000 for his work with the broadcaster during that period. His BBC earnings have since fallen below the corporation’s public disclosure threshold, while his salaries from Sky Sports and CBS Sports have not been made public.
According to Football FanCast, Richards has an estimated net worth of around £37 million, combining his playing income with his television and media work.
Meanwhile, Richards previously admitted that rejecting a lucrative Manchester City contract remains the biggest financial regret of his playing career.
“At 17 years old, I earned £5k-a-week. Manchester City offered me £100k-a-week for five years. I said no because I was number two to Pablo Zabaleta,” he recalled.
“It’s the worst decision I’ve ever made. Why do you think I work for every broadcaster? I went to Aston Villa, that was less money.”
