David Beckham’s legal battle against Mark Wahlberg’s fitness enterprise, F45, has reignited with an administrative shift in the legal proceedings. The lawsuit, initiated by Beckham in October 2022, is scheduled to undergo trial in January 2025.
Beckham’s legal action targets F45 for alleged breach of contract amounting to a hefty $18.8 million. Court documents obtained by PEOPLE reveal that Beckham asserts F45 failed to honor a promotional deal forged in 2020, thereby violating contractual obligations.
The genesis of the lawsuit traces back to Beckham’s claims of unpaid compensation for his collaborative efforts with F45, a global fitness juggernaut co-owned by Wahlberg. Despite Beckham’s purported role in enhancing F45’s brand image, the athlete contends he was denied rightful remuneration for his contributions.
A pivotal aspect of the dispute revolves around Beckham’s assertion that F45 reaped substantial benefits from their partnership, evident in the company’s exponential growth post-association. However, Beckham maintains he is owed $14.3 million in damages, coupled with an additional $4.5 million for declaratory relief as stipulated in the contract.
Legal proceedings escalated when Beckham’s legal team, representing DBVL, Beckham’s company, issued a notice of breach of contract to F45 in July 2022. Despite attempts to ameliorate the situation, the impasse remained unresolved, prompting Beckham to file a lawsuit two months later.
The crux of Beckham’s grievance lies in F45’s alleged failure to transfer nearly one million shares of stock promptly, resulting in significant financial losses amounting to $9.3 million due to subsequent fluctuations in stock value.
In response, F45 disputed Beckham’s claims, asserting the absence of any viable breach of contract. The fitness conglomerate contends it adhered to contractual stipulations and challenges Beckham’s assertions of contractual non-compliance.
The legal imbroglio underscores the high stakes involved, with Beckham seeking damages totaling $14.3 million, in addition to contractual obligations amounting to $4.5 million. Furthermore, Beckham demands reimbursement for legal fees incurred during the protracted legal battle.
While both Beckham and Wahlberg have refrained from commenting on the ongoing litigation, the legal tussle underscores the complexities inherent in contractual disputes involving high-profile personalities.
