David Beckham is embroiled in a legal battle with actor Mark Wahlberg and the founders of F45, Adam Gilchrist and Rob Deutsch, over a fitness brand deal gone awry. The dispute has led Beckham to file a lawsuit, alleging fraudulent behavior that resulted in a significant financial loss of $10.5 million.
The controversy began when Beckham, initially joining forces with golf legend Greg Norman, was advised by a judge to pursue separate lawsuits. According to Beckham’s company, David Beckham Ventures Ltd (DBVL), the parties involved misled him into becoming a global ambassador for F45 in 2020 under the impression that he would receive shares early in 2022. However, these shares were not delivered until their value had significantly decreased, causing Beckham to suffer a substantial loss as their value dropped from around $12 to $3 per share.
Mark Wahlberg’s investment group, alongside the F45 founders, has vehemently denied the accusations of fraudulent conduct, calling for the dismissal of the lawsuit and arguing that the complaint lacks substantive merit.
This legal action marks a significant rift between Beckham and Wahlberg, who had previously formed a friendship when Beckham moved to Los Angeles in 2007. Their relationship has since deteriorated amid the unfolding legal drama surrounding the fitness brand. As the case progresses, the sports and entertainment worlds are keenly watching to see the outcome of this high-profile dispute.
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