David Beckham and Mark Wahlberg. Image: Getty Images/Rich Storry, Monica Schipper via AFP
David Beckham filed a lawsuit against F45 Training—a fitness company partly owned by actor Mark Wahlberg—after it allegedly failed to pay the former football player, its brand ambassador, the amount they had agreed upon.
Beckham signed a five-year contract with F45 Training in 2020 after his friend Wahlberg introduced the company to him. As the brand ambassador, Beckham shared contents about the company on his social media platforms—which he has already taken down.
In a copy of the complaint obtained by American TV network NBC, Beckham’s company DB Ventures Limited (DBVL)—which filed the lawsuit in April 2023—claimed that the football star didn’t receive the compensation of $1.5 million a year as well as the shares of stock the company had promised him.
“Despite DBVL upholding its end of the bargain, however, F45 failed to issue substantial cash and equity compensation to DBVL as required by the parties’ agreement,” his legal team said in the complaint.
Beckham is suing for $9.3 million, an additional $5 million, and $4.5 million as payment for the remainder of his term with F45.
The fitness company dismissed Beckham’s allegations, filing a motion to dismiss the lawsuit. The motion was denied in September 2023.
Other athletes who filed similar lawsuits against F45 were Greg Norman and Terrell Owens.