3 days Ago By Hannah Boland
David Beckham has landed a $US35.8 million ($57 million) payday after profits more than tripled at his business empire in the wake of a lucrative Netflix documentary deal. The former footballer received $US12.
8 million in shareholder payouts in 2023 and a further $US23 million this year, according to accounts for Mr Beckham’s brand network, DRJB Holdings. The company, which he jointly owns with New York-based Authentic Brands Group (ABG), covers nearly all of the David Beckham businesses, including his sponsorship deals and brand partnerships. It’s been a lucrative year for football legend David Beckham.
In total, DRJB Holdings has paid out $US124 million to shareholders over the past two years, including $US79.6 million in ordinary dividends and $US44 million in payouts against preference shares. Beckham is understood to have received a portion of the former, equal to his 45 per cent stake in the business, with ABG receiving the rest.
The latest payouts came as profits jumped from $US8.3 million to $US26.7 million in 2023, with the company pushing ahead with efforts to monetise “brand Beckham”.
It follows a slew of recent tie-ups for Beckham, who has deals with some of the world’s best-known brands including Adidas, Gillette and Calvin Klein. Recently, he has struck deals to become the face of mattress company Tempur, Chinese tech giant AliExpress and air fryer maker SharkNinja. The business said revenues have also been boosted by the four-part Netflix documentary on Beckham’s career and family life.
which was released last year. The series was met with critical acclaim for its candid interviews with Beckham and his wife Victoria, including discussions about his alleged affair in 2003. The Telegraph’s Benji Wilson described the series as a “superb portrayal of the footballer”.
In accounts for DRJB, the company said: “The series was a resounding success, achieving a place in the top 10 in all 90 countries where Netflix track audience figures and generating significant press and social media attention worldwide which in turn drove renewed interest in the David Beckham brand.” Revenues from the documentary, and other broadcast content made by the company, more than doubled on a year earlier to hit almost $US15 million. Overall revenues, including those made from monetising the David Beckham brand, were up at $US91.
2 million in 2023 compared to $US89.7 million a year earlier. The uplift in performance follows years of growth in Beckham’s empire.
In the previous financial year, for 2022, revenues were boosted by Beckham’s deal to act as an ambassador for the Qatar World Cup – a move which attracted criticism from human rights campaigners and LGBT groups. The success of Beckham’s brand network has come alongside difficulties at Victoria Beckham’s fashion and beauty businesses, which have required years of cash injections amid a struggle to make a profit. Last week, the company told customers it would increase prices on some of its beauty lines from next month so it could invest in new products.
David Beckham’s business ventures have provided guarantees to secure banking facilities for his wife’s ventures, according to the DRJB accounts. It said at the end of 2023, debts under the arrangement ballooned to $US1.2 million from $US38,973 a year earlier.
Victoria Beckham Holdings made a loss of £3 million ($5.9 million) last year, compared to £3.3 million a year earlier, even as revenues jumped by 52 per cent.
In its most recent filings, auditors said more cash would be needed from shareholders to help Victoria Beckham Holdings’ turnaround strategy. It is understood that David and Victoria Beckham and private equity firm Neo Investment Partners are willing to support the business. The Telegraph, London.
