David Beckham is going after Mark Wahlberg’s fitness company F45 for $10 million over a failed business deal.
According to The Sun, the famed soccer star had made a deal with F45 that made him less money than predicted. His company, DB Ventures Ltd, claims in the lawsuit Wahlberg’s fitness brand “duped” him into signing the deal.
Wahlberg currently has a 36% interest in F45 and also serves as the company’s chief brand officer. David Beckham reportedly grew close with the actor when he moved to California to play for the L.A. Galaxy. He also became F45’s Global Ambassador.
However, Beckham claimed that things didn’t work with F45. The well-known athlete also never stated he was never paid the $10 million he was promised. TMZ reports that F45’s stock had fallen before Beckham’s lawsuit.
David Beckham has since deleted all social media posts dedicated to F45.
Meanwhile, Wahlberg’s fitness brand has attempted to get the lawsuit thrown out, dubbing it “fraudulent.” However, the judge stated the cast would move forward.
According to its website, F45 “merges” three fitness training styles into one 45-minute functional training class.
“With each session, you’ll experience the elite, proven benefits of combining high-intensity interval training (HIIT), circuit training, and functional training in order to provide you with the results you’re looking for,” the company states. “All in just under an hour.”
Along with David Beckham, Terrell Owens previously filed a lawsuit against F45 for $700,000 in 2017. At the time F45’s co-CEO previously stated it was going to countersue the NFL star after “he picked a fight with the wrong company.”
F45 also claimed at the time that Owens had lied in the lawsuit. “We’re not a company that doesn’t pay our bills.”
Golf star Greg Norman filed a lawsuit against F45 as well.
David Beckham Once Said He Felt in the ‘Best Shape’ He Had Felt Since Retirement Thanks to F45 Workouts
In a 2021 F45 promotion, David Beckham praised the company for its intense workouts.
“I feel in the best shape that I’ve felt since I retired from playing [soccer],” Beckham claimed, per Daily Mail. “And that’s through F45.”
David Beckham also pointed out that he had been a fan of the F45 franchise and training model since being introduced by his then-friend, Mark Wahlberg.
“Health and fitness have always been a big part of my life,” he continued. “And since my days playing [soccer], I have always found I’m at my best when training as part of a team. F45 has a strong community and trainers that help you reach your goals and achieve powerful results.”
David Beckham went on to add that the partnership is an “exciting business venture” for him. “I’m looking forward to the journey with F45 as the business continues to expand globally.”