Authentic Brands Group Buys DB Ventures for Reported $269M

Authentic Brands Group confirmed its purchase of a 55% stake in David Beckham’s global brand management firm on Thursday.

Financial terms were not disclosed, but CNBC reported that the deal was worth $269 million.

• ABG says it’s now the largest stakeholder in production company Studio 99, which was co-founded by Beckham three years ago.
• DB Ventures manages Beckham’s endorsement deals, including those with Tudor watches and Haig whiskey.

As part of the purchase, Authentic Brands will use Beckham’s London offices as its European headquarters.

Buy It Like Beckham

Beckham reportedly repurchased his previously sold stake in DB Ventures from XIX Entertainment for $50 million in 2019. 

Alongside co-owners Jorge and Jose Mas, Beckham completed the buyout of Inter Miami — the MLS team he co-founded in 2018 — in September. Beckham also co-owns Salford City F.C., a League Two team in the English Football League. 

ABG is valued at $12.7 billion following investments from private equity firms CVC Capital Partners and HPS Investment Partners. It entered an agreement to purchase Reebok for $2.46 billion in August.