We all know David Beckham, the soccer player. However, due to his collaboration with adidas, he could also be mistaken for an adidas model and partner. Although he originates from the United Kingdom, he is well known in Singapore.
David Robert Joseph Beckham is a former professional soccer player, businessman, model, and a spokesman from the United Kingdom. Beckham is best known for his professional career as a high-profile footballer. However, his accomplishments extend to other industries such as multinational corporations and fashion. He has signed endorsement deals and served as a spokesperson for companies like IBM, Pepsi Co., Diet Coke, Burger King, Samsung, Walt Disney Co., and Coca-Cola. He is also known as a fashion and style icon, having endorsed brands like Breitling, H&M, and Armani. In 2015, Beckham was named one of GQ’s 50 best-dressed British men. Along with his wife Victoria, the Beckhams are regarded as a cultural force. They have collaborated with all aspects of the fashion industry. Beckham has graced the covers of numerous publications, including W and Details. Beckham launched David Beckham Instinct, a collection of fragrances and aftershave products, and he was paid USD 13.7 million to release the scents in the United States in 2007. Beckham signed a USD 160 million lifetime contract with adidas in 2003, allowing him to earn profit percentages on all adidas products, with nearly half of the money paid to him upfront. Beckham debuted his Homme by David Beckham eau de toilette fragrance in 2011. Beckham was the male model for his men’s underwear collection Bodywear for the H&M campaign in 2015.
David Beckham isn’t just one of the greatest soccer players of all time; he’s also a successful businessman, having secured one of his career’s largest sponsorship deals. In 2003, the father of four was in talks with adidas about signing a lifetime contract that would see him front major campaigns and commercials for the German-based company.
It was later revealed that David had negotiated a $160 million offer, making it one of the largest deals adidas had ever signed. However, that figure may have already been surpassed with superstar Beyonce joining the firm with her Ivy Park line in 2019.
Although adidas is paying David a lot of money to continue promoting their brand for the rest of his life, there was an interesting clause in the contract. It prevented him from receiving the money all at once.
Signing a lifetime contract is significant for a variety of reasons. Celebrities would not want to put themselves in such a position because it could prevent them from working with other sponsored companies, depending on how the deal was negotiated.
While we know David is still working with Calvin Klein and Tudor, it’s almost certain he’s barred from doing business with adidas’ direct competitors such as Nike, Puma, and Reebok.
As a result, the former Manchester United player only received half of the money upfront, with the remainder expected to be paid out in multiple installments over the years. After all, this is a once-in-a-lifetime contract.
What could jeopardize David’s chances of receiving the remainder of his earnings is if he breaches his contract by signing contracts that could cause conflict with adidas — while promoting luxury watches is acceptable, endorsing sportswear is not.
Furthermore, Victoria Beckham’s husband earns a percentage of profits on all of his branded products with the company, which means he’ll make far more than the $160 million they’ve already guaranteed him.
While the retired athlete no longer earns high-paying salaries playing soccer, he has transformed himself into a brand that is worth just as much money whether he is still kicking a ball around or not.
Aside from his endorsement deals, the 45-year-old is also a significant investor, having built a diverse portfolio that includes the Miami MLS, soccer team. He purchased the team for a whopping $25 million and multiple homes across the UK and US.
When David purchased his Miami MLS team in 2018, many questioned whether he was making a wise business decision because his goal had always been to make soccer a mainstream sport in the United States.
Despite this, he remains determined to pursue his dream of making soccer a primetime sports event in the United States, as it is in Europe.
“We want to reach for the stars, we want the best players in, but more importantly, we want to build a state-of-the-art academy where we can have a hotbed of talent in this part of America,” he said in a statement.
“If we get that right, it will make us and the people of Miami even more proud to support their team, because they see young kids, their sons, coming in and having the opportunity to play professional football.”
“Because I’m English, I’m eager to learn, but I also want to be a good neighbor.” I don’t want to cause any problems, and we want to please everyone.”
David also signed a multi-year $20 million deal with Guild Esports in 2020 for an influencer contract, which allows them to use his name and image rights on their platform.
According to The Esports Observer, he invested in the company and became a stockholder that same year.
The London-born superstar has amassed an incredible $450 million net worth. While a portion of that is due to his previous lucrative salaries as one of the world’s highest-paid soccer players, the rest is due to wise investments and insanely high endorsement deals.
With such a popular figure, it is no surprise that people might want to own custom polo shirts of David Beckham. However, the quality of t-shirts might be a problem. Polo tee printing in Singapore is on the rise right now, and getting a good quality custom shirt is not easy. Ark Industries provides the best of both worlds, where you can get t-shirts from adidas, and have them custom-made to your liking. It is also a cute idea to get customized company polo shirts as it shows the togetherness of the company and promotes company loyalty.
If David wanted to retire from public life today, he could practically go into hiding and only appear when promoting adidas. It is similar to how Adele is only heard or seen when she releases a new album. Judging from how people are starting to associate David Beckham with adidas, or vice versa, it is evident that adidas made the right choice in partnering with David Beckham. With his pleasing physique, it is not a surprise that he looks good in the adidas Singapore t-shirt.
