Sir David Beckham nets £38.5m after World Cup ad deals
Sir David Beckham pockets nearly £38.5m in dividends as DRJB Holdings records soaring profits driven by 2026 World Cup ad campaigns.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Sir David Beckham's DRJB Holdings reported nearly £50m in profit for 2025, up 46%.
- Sales rose from £72.2m to £84m, fueled by major World Cup advertising partnerships.
- Key global brand deals included Bank of America, McDonald's, Verizon, and PepsiCo Lay's.
- Beckham's share of the post-financial year payouts amounted to approximately £38.5m.
Sir David Beckham has secured a payout of roughly £38.5m from his sports, fashion, and media venture, DRJB Holdings, after the business reaped record-breaking profits. The former England football star's company posted a profit close to £50m for 2025, marking a 46% increase compared to the previous year, while total sales climbed from £72.2m to £84m.
The impressive financial growth was largely driven by a wave of high-profile advertising partnerships secured ahead of the 2026 Men's Football World Cup. Brands such as Bank of America, McDonald's, Verizon, and PepsiCo Lay's—marketed as Walkers in the UK—featured the British icon prominently across global markets during the summer tournament.
Photo by Abigail Keenan / Unsplash
Alongside tournament-related campaigns, revenue was bolstered by new menswear collections designed for Hugo Boss, the launch of a fresh pair of Adidas Predator football boots, and eyewear collaborations with Italian manufacturer Safilo. Beckham's health supplements business also contributed significantly to the upward trajectory of DRJB, where he owns nearly half of the shares.
This financial milestone highlights Beckham's successful transition from an elite athlete into a powerhouse global brand executive. By leveraging mega sporting events like the World Cup to secure lucrative multinational contracts, DRJB demonstrates the enduring commercial value of personal branding when partnered with strategic management firms like New York-based Authentic Brands Group.
DRJB distributed an initial £38.9m to shareholders, followed by an additional special payout of £46.6m following the close of the financial year. Due to his substantial stake in the enterprise, Britain's first billionaire sportsman claimed about £38.5m from these distributions. The remaining equity in DRJB is held by Authentic Brands Group, which also owns Reebok and the rights to other prominent celebrity brands, including comedian Kevin Hart.
Previously, Beckham faced criticism for serving as an ambassador for the 2022 Men's Football World Cup in Qatar, a nation where same-sex relationships remain illegal. Defending his role at the time, he stated:
adding that he actively engaged with the LGBTQ community throughout the tournament."It was an important competition and one I was proud to be part of,"
Sir David Beckham
Source: BBC Business
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