David Beckham: Sports icon turned business magnate
David Beckham has become a business mogul with many investments in several diverse industries, ranging from Esports to medical cannabis
David Beckham is known as one of the most iconic footballers of his time. A sports career spanning some 20 years, playing for clubs like Manchester United, Real Madrid, Milan and PSG. His illustrious career allowed him to build a huge business empire, including his own football club called Inter Miami FC.
However, Beckham also has a number of other investments in several interesting industries such as the gaming industry. From Esports investments to acting as a brand ambassador to a huge corporation – we take a look at where Beckham has made his presence felt in the industry.
The Esports Industry
As recently as last year, the football icon acquired a big stake in Guild Esports. The Esports company is focused on player development through their high end academy systems and competitions they enter. Focusing mainly on Rocket League, FIFA and Fortnite.
Back in 2019, Beckham joined his ex Manchester United teammates in owning Salford City while also establishing the MLS team called Inter Miami FC. However, due to the pandemic last year and now, these clubs have been hit hard and revenue is drying up.
Due to this, Esports has been thriving lately with several athletes and celebrities investing in Esports organisation. David Beckham is no different as he invested into Guild.
Guild and Beckham are teaming up together to transfer the European football model into Esports. European football is founded on the player academy model and Guild, together with Beckham, are looking to take that model and transfer it into Esports.
During an interview about his new business venture Beckham said:
Throughout my career I’ve been lucky enough to work with players at the top of their game, and I’ve seen first-hand the passion and dedication it takes to play at that level.
I know that determination lives in our Esports athletes today, and at Guild we have a vision to set a new standard, supporting these players into the future.
Beckham’s investment is set to help Guild Esports in establishing themselves as a major player in the Esports world.
The Integrated Resort Industry
Moving away from Esports but still within the gaming industry, Beckham has helped major corporation in designing the layout of their integrated resort. The Londoner Macau is being built by Sands and cost the Corporation $4billion.
The Londoner Macau is modeled around London’s famous landmarks which include the Palace of Westminster, Houses of Parliament and Big Ben.
Beckham acts as the brand ambassador for Sands China and features exclusive top floor suites designed by Beckham himself.
The Londoner Macau is a complete rebranding of the Sands Cotai Central resort and includes 600 suites, 13 ballrooms, 3 spas,20 restaurants and 200 iconic British retailers.
Interestingly enough, David Beckham is not the only celebrity who will have a say in the Londoner Macau’s design.
Gordon Ramsey will be running a gastro pub that will serve British food such as fish and chips and shepherd’s pie.
The Medical Cannabis Industry
Beckham also has investments in the medical cannabis industry. The Manchester United icon keeps on proving that he is willing to expand his portfolio of business investments to any industry, if it looks promising.
The Cellular Goods, which is a cannabis skincare brand, is backed by Beckham as he holds a 5% stake in the cannabis venture through his investment vehicle DB Ventures.
Susannah Streeter, a senior investment and market analyst, said:
David Beckham’s backing certainly added a celebrity glow to its listed debut. It might seem a bit of a curve ball for a man known for free kicks rather than scoring on the financial markets, but he certainly has form as a skincare and grooming guru.
As a result of the trading frenzy, towards the end of February, the value of Cellular Goods reached an impressive £25million. For Beckham, this meant that his holding rose by more than £2.5 million, reaching a pinnacle of £3.9m.
Beckham has clearly shown that if celebrities and sporting icons go out of their comfort zone then there is business to be made. With a net worth of $450 million and a large number of investments on his portfolio, other athletes are taking a page out of Beckham’s book with Esports benefiting from major investments from iconic athletes and celebrities.
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