David Beckham Sues Mark Wahlberg Over F45 Training Deal
David Beckham, the iconic former soccer star, finds himself embroiled in a legal battle with Mark Wahlberg's investment group over a fitness deal gone sour.
Beckham's company, David Beckham Ventures Ltd (DBVL), claims that Wahlberg's firm, Mark Wahlberg Investment Group (MWIG), along with F45 gym group founders Adam Gilchrist and Rob Deutsch, deceived Beckham into becoming a global ambassador for F45 Training in 2020.
The lawsuit alleges that Beckham suffered substantial financial losses when promised shares in F45 were not delivered as part of the deal, costing him up to $10.5 million in potential profit, Yahoo! Entertainment reports.
DB Ventures Ltd.'s lawsuit contends that Beckham was promised shares in F45 as part of the deal in 2022, but they were delivered after their value plummeted from around $12 to $3 per share.
Despite requests for damages totaling as much as $18.85 million, the new lawsuit targets Mark Wahlberg's investment group and the creators of F45, seeking redress directly from them.
Initially, Beckham and golfing icon Greg Norman pursued legal action together, but a judge ruled they must proceed separately.
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Global Ambassadorship Goes Awry
In November 2020, David Beckham agreed to become the global ambassador for F45 Training, a chain of fitness centers offering innovative workouts across 60 countries, including the United States.
Despite Beckham's promotional efforts, including social media posts showcasing the brand, the relationship soured amid the legal dispute, according to the New York Post.
Mark Wahlberg's investment in F45 Training in 2019 further complicates the matter.
Beckham and Wahlberg's friendship, which began when Beckham moved to Los Angeles in 2007 to join Major League Soccer's LA Galaxy, allegedly soured after the legal dispute surfaced.
While both initially appeared to have an amicable relationship, tensions escalated as the lawsuit unfolded.
Wahlberg expressed surprise at the legal action, emphasizing that he holds no personal animosity towards Beckham and even reached out to clarify a previous comment made in jest.
Legal Maneuvering
In response to DB Ventures Ltd.'s lawsuit, Wahlberg and his co-defendants seek dismissal, denouncing the allegations of fraudulent conduct.
They argue that Beckham is deflecting responsibility and emphasize the lack of merit in the lengthy complaint, TMZ reports.
However, the judge has allowed the case to proceed, indicating that the dispute between the two fitness titans will be resolved in court.
The legal dispute between Beckham and Wahlberg's company underscores the complexities of celebrity endorsements and business partnerships.
As the case unfolds, it sheds light on the intricacies of deal-making in the fitness industry and the potential pitfalls that can arise.
Despite their shared history and mutual interests, David Beckham and Mark Wahlberg find themselves on opposite sides of a legal battle, highlighting the fragility of friendships in the world of business.
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This article is owned by Latin Post.
Written by: Ross Key
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