David Beckham is embroiled in a legal battle with actor Mark Wahlberg following a fallout over a fitness brand endorsement that reportedly left Beckham $16.4 million (£8.5 million) out of pocket. The lawsuit has been filed by Beckham’s company, DB Ventures Ltd, which accuses Wahlberg of misleading the former England football star into a partnership with F45, a global fitness franchise.

According to the allegations, Beckham was brought into the deal under pretenses that have since proven detrimental to his financial interests. DB Ventures Ltd claims that the agreement, which initially seemed promising due to Wahlberg’s involvement and assurances, failed to live up to its expectations, resulting in significant financial losses for Beckham.

David Beckham’s involvement with F45 deepened when he agreed to become the fitness brand’s global ambassador upon his move to Los Angeles. This decision coincided with his developing friendship with Mark Wahlberg, which seemed to strengthen their professional ties. Their relationship, built around mutual interests and their respective statuses in the public eye, appeared to provide a solid foundation for their collaboration with F45.

However, the partnership that initially held promise due to their friendship and Beckham’s influential role as a global ambassador has since led to a complex legal dispute. The lawsuit filed by Beckham’s DB Ventures Ltd suggests that the trust and camaraderie between Beckham and Wahlberg may have influenced Beckham’s decision to engage with the fitness brand, which he now alleges was misrepresented in some capacity.

David Beckham’s lawsuit extends beyond Mark Wahlberg to include the actor’s investment firm, Mark Wahlberg Investment Group (MWIG), and the co-founders of the fitness brand F45, Adam Gilchrist and Rob Deutsch. Beckham’s grievance centers on the significant financial losses he incurred when, according to his claim, the stocks he was promised were withheld until after their value had drastically fallen.

The complaint details how Beckham, as a global ambassador, was heavily involved in promoting F45, including making several now-deleted social media posts that helped to boost the brand’s profile. Despite his promotional efforts and the personal investments tied into the partnership, the plummeting share prices led to substantial financial losses.

In response, Wahlberg, MWIG, and the co-founders of F45, Gilchrist and Deutsch, have defended themselves against the accusations, labeling the claims of fraudulent conduct as baseless. They have formally requested that the lawsuit be dismissed, challenging the validity of Beckham’s allegations.

The dispute not only underscores the complexities of celebrity endorsements and investments in rapidly changing markets like fitness but also highlights the potential for significant repercussions when such business ventures face challenges. As the legal proceedings unfold, more details are likely to emerge about the nature of the agreements and the circumstances under which the alleged losses occurred. This case is particularly noteworthy given the high-profile nature of the individuals involved and the international scope of the business venture, which originated in Sydney, Australia, and expanded significantly in the United States.

In 2019, Wahlberg’s investment firm and another investor, FOD Capital bought a minority stake in the business.

Deutsch sold his stake for an estimated US$145 million (A$224 million) before the company listed on the NYSE in July 2021.

The defendants’ motion to dismiss goes further to say DBVL are blaming everyone but themselves, adding: “The 209-page, 610-paragraph SAC [complaint] tries to make up with length what it lacks in merit.

Initially, Beckham teamed up with golfing legend Greg Norman who also had a grievance against F45, but a judge would later tell the pair they had to sue separately.

The former Man Utd and Real Madrid ace lived in the same Beverly Hills neighbourhood as Wahlberg when he and Victoria moved to Los Angeles in 2007 and became close pals with the star.