Politics
David Beckham Sues Mark Wahlberg For Millions
In a clash of celebrity titans, David Beckham has launched a $10 million lawsuit against Hollywood star Mark Wahlberg concerning a botched business deal with the fitness company F45 Training. The high-profile case highlights a bitter end to what was once a thriving partnership.
Beckham, the international soccer icon, claims he was financially damaged after being promised shares in the F45 Training—a promise allegedly not fulfilled on time. According to legal documents, Beckham was to become a global ambassador for F45, leveraging his worldwide appeal to promote the brand. However, the shares Beckham was promised were reportedly not delivered until after their value had drastically decreased, causing significant losses to him — pegged at around £8.5 million ($10 million).
According to The Daily Mail, the lawsuit details how Beckham (who moved to Los Angeles in 2007 and soon befriended Wahlberg) was introduced to the F45 franchise by Wahlberg himself. The actor had purchased a minor stake in the Australian fitness company back in 2019 through his investment firm. Beckham’s involvement began earnestly in November 2020, featuring prominently in promotional material and social media posts that have since been removed.
The case has dragged on for several years after Beckham and golfing star Greg Norman sued F45 in California courts in October 2022. A judge later reportedly required them to file separate lawsuits.
Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA. 2nd August 2023. David Beckham, Jorge Mas, Jose Man present of new player #18 Jordi Alba during Orlando City SC v Inter Miami CF, League Cup
In 2021, F45 revealed their collaboration with Beckham, who mentioned in a statement that it was Wahlberg who had introduced him to the franchise. F45 is a global fitness franchise known for its high-intensity, circuit-based group workout classes that combine elements of functional training, circuit training, and HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training).
Beckham expressed his enthusiasm by stating, “I’ve been a fan of the F45 franchise and training model since being introduced by my friend, Mark Wahlberg.”
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Wahlberg, known for his roles in action-packed blockbusters and his entrepreneurial ventures in fitness, has found himself in a precarious legal position. Wahlberg and other defendants, including F45 founders Adam Gilchrist and Rob Deutsch, have responded to the allegations, seeking dismissal of what they have called baseless claims of fraudulent conduct. They argue that the delays in share allocation were out of their control and that Beckham’s losses are exaggerated.
LOS ANGELES, USA. August 23, 2022: Mark Wahlberg at the premiere of “Me Time” at the Regency Village Theatre, Westwood. Picture: Paul Smith-Featureflash
Beckham’s firm, DB Ventures Ltd, has claimed Wahlberg “duped” Beckham into working with F45 according to The Sun.
Wahlberg and his co-defendants assert that the accusations of “fraudulent conduct” are unfounded and have requested that a judge throw out the lawsuit. Their motion to dismiss elaborates that DBVL is pointing fingers at everyone except themselves, with the addition: “The 209-page, 610-paragraph SAC [complaint] tries to make up with length what it lacks in merit.”
The legal battle also has larger implications for F45 Training, whose share value plummeted from an early high of $16 to mere cents, exacerbating financial instability amid global franchise closures.
