Rio Ferdinand is one of the most famous faces on the UK punditry scene, yet the former Manchester United star could be about to seek a new challenge across the pond
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WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 01: TNT Sports pundit Rio Ferdinand prior to the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester United at Molineux on February 1, 2024 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
TNT Sports pundit Rio Ferdiand may have had his head turned by opportunities in the United States
(Image: Getty Images)
Former Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand is one of the UK's most prominent pundits. But his next step could see him move across the Atlantic.
Ferdinand has been a staple on our screens since 2013 with BT Sport, now known as TNT Sports, where he has offered analysis on the channel's Premier League and Champions League coverage. In 2014, he joined the BBC for coverage of the World Cup, and he has worked on their last four major tournaments.
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That's come after a hugely successful playing career for United and England. In his 12 years at Old Trafford, Ferdinand, now 46, won a long list of trophies.
They include six Premier League titles and the 2008 Champions League. Now, Ferdinand could be set for another new venture as his contract nears its expiry, so we take a closer look at his life away from the pitch.
Media Career
There are currently question marks over Ferdinand's current status with TNT, amid claims that he is out of contract at the end of the season. As reported by the Daily Mail, Ferdinand's management company has entered into a partnership with William Morris Endeavor, a prestigious American talent agency.
They are said to be focused on securing opportunities for Ferdinand in the United States, a perhaps pertinent move for the star given the next World Cup is set to take place in North America, Canada and Mexico. He could also be eyeing a switch to a U.S. broadcaster, although Ferdinand has not commented on the developments himself.
TNT Sports pundit Rio Ferdinand looks on before a game
Ferdinand has been with TNT Sports for over a decade(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United FC)
Ferdinand now joins a star-studded array of talent at WME, including Hollywood star and Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds. His potential departure may come as a shock but there will be some fans happy to see Ferdinand take his punditry offerings elsewhere.
A section of viewers have been left unhappy over his performances for a perceived over-the-top nature on the box. This was most notable for some fans when he declared that "Man United are back" after the club beat PSG in 2019.
His repeated and animated calls for Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior to get the Ballon d'Or in 2024 also saw him come under fire on social media.
Net Worth
It's been estimated by The Richest that Ferdinand's personal wealth is a staggering £57million. Money Inc suggests that Ferdinand collects a salary of about £7m each year from this media commitments.
This includes TNT and his popular podcasts, 'Rio Ferdinand Presents' and 'Vibe with Five'. It was also reported that he took home around £6m a year during his time with United, which spanned from 2002-2014.
Kate and Rio Ferdinand's son suffered an accident on holiday
Kate Wright married Ferdinand in 2019(Image: Instagram)
Personal life
In 2015, Ferdinand’s first wife Rebecca Ellison passed away after a short battle with cancer. He was left as a single father to three children, Lorenz, Tate and Tia.
Upon her death, Rio said: “My soulmate slipped away last night. Rebecca, my wonderful wife, passed away peacefully after a short battle with cancer at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London. She was a fantastic loving mother to our three beautiful children."
In an interview from 2017, he opened how he dealt with the onslaught of grief. “Rebecca passed away, I have to tell my children in a room next door, then you leave," he said. "Everyone’s prepared in life to have babies and to celebrate, but no one’s taught how you’re meant to deal with loss. It’s such a different feeling."
In 2017, he began dating reality TV star Kate Wright. They tied the knot in Abu Dhabi in 2019, and they now have two children together, Shea and Cree.
Lavish lifestyle
As of 2023, according to OK!, the Ferdinands' have settled in a £4m mansion in Bromley, London. The home is said to boast a swimming pool, a state-of-the-art gym and a sprawling dressing room.
Kate and Rio Ferdinand's home
Rio and Kate workout in their home gym(Image: Instagram / Kate Ferdinand)
Kate and Rio Ferdinand in their lavish home
The pair posing in their lavish home(Image: INSTAGRAM)
Ferdinand was also said to own a luxury estate in Alderley Edge, Cheshire. It is known that he has a penchant for cars, with the ex-QPR star owning an Aston Martin DBS, which is worth north of £225k.
He also owns a Porsche Cayenne, worth over £70k, and a Bentley Continental GT, said to cost over £180k.
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