DAVID BECKHAM has expanded his ever-growing business empire by launching a UK esports company.
Guild Esports will be based in London and run a competitive team as well as have a scouting platform.
David Beckham is now the owner of a football club AND an esports clubCredit: PA:Press Association
It is the latest venture the former Manchester United and England footballer has invested in.
Beckham has a major a stake in US Major League Soccer club Inter Miami FC, a range of eyewear and even a whisky brand, the Haig Club.
And as The Sun exclusively revealed, the 45-year-old is even whipping up a cookery show with his new production company.
Keen baker Becks has developed a format after joining best pal Gordon Ramsay’s Instagram Live cook-alongs.
COOKING UP A STORM
He is in talks with the BBC and Netflix over the proposed interactive format, to be developed by his company Studio 99.
Speaking about his movement into esports, Beckham said: “Throughout my career I’ve been lucky enough to work with players at the top of their game.
“And I’ve seen first-hand the passion and dedication it takes to play at that level.
“I know that determination lives in our esports athletes today and at Guild we have a vision to set a new standard, supporting these players into the future.
“We are committed to nurturing and encouraging youth talent through our academy systems and I am looking forward to helping our Guild Esports team grow.”
Guild will scale into various esports disciplines over the course of the 2020/21 season.
Its inaugural team will make its debut in autumn this year and its professional athletes will compete in the most popular titles including Rocket League, EA Sports FIFA, and Fortnite.
According to analytics firm Newzoo about half a billion people follow esports.
And the Financial Times states that “prior to the coronavirus pandemic, consultancy PwC had forecast that esports revenues would rise from $980m last year to $1.8bn by 2023”.
But that figure does not take into account the expected rise in gaming during the pandemic.
David Beckham builds a beehive at his home in the Cotswolds as his wife Victoria reveals his new project
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
