Former English soccer star David Beckham has launched a legal battle against F45, a popular global fitness brand co-owned by actor Mark Wahlberg. The dispute stems from a promotional agreement Beckham signed with F45 in 2020, in which he committed to promoting the brand in exchange for substantial cash and equity compensation.
Beckham alleges that F45 failed to fulfill its contractual obligations, including the timely transfer of nearly 1 million shares of stock and the issuance of $5 million worth of additional shares. He claims that the delay in transferring the initial shares cost him $9.3 million due to a decline in stock price.
In May 2023, Beckham filed a lawsuit seeking over $14 million in damages from F45, excluding interest. F45 has denied Beckham’s allegations and claimed that he failed to fully perform his obligations.
This case highlights the importance of fulfilling contractual obligations in business agreements. It also raises concerns about the use of celebrity endorsements and the need for clear and enforceable contracts.
F45 is a fitness franchise that offers 45-minute, bootcamp-style workouts at over 2,000 studios in more than 50 countries. In 2019, Wahlberg acquired a 36% stake in the business and is actively involved in its promotion.
This is not the first time F45 has faced legal challenges. In 2017, former NFL wide receiver Terrell Owens sued F45 for failing to pay him over $700,000 in a faltered endorsement agreement. The outcome of that case remains unclear.
