David Beckham is the latest celebrity to invest in esports, taking a “significant minority stake” in London-based organization Guild Esports as it raises $31 million. The organization will field competitive teams in games like Rocket League, FIFA, and Fortnite.
Guild Esports will reportedly use Beckham as a way to help draw in sponsorships. Beckham’s investment comes as the industry continues to surge during the coronavirus pandemic. Even prior to the outbreak, PwC forecast that esports revenues would grow from $980 million in 2019 to more than $1.8 billion by 2023.
Other Celebrity Esports Investors
— aXiomatic Gaming – NBA legends Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson, Monumental Sports & Entertainment founder and chairman Ted Leonsis, Peter Guber
— Andbox – Michael B. Jordan
— 100 Thieves – Drake
— Fade 2 Karma – Mike Tyson
— PlayVS – Sean “Diddy” Combs
— Gen. G – Will Smith
— VisionEsports – Kevin Durant & Odell Beckham Jr.
— TSM – Steve Young, Steph Curry & Andre Iguodala
