Inter Miami owner and president of soccer operations David Beckham is getting into esports, with the worldwide celebrity now co-owner of Guild Esports. The London-based startup company plans to launch academies and initially focus on FIFA, Fortnite and Rocket League.
“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,” Beckham said in a statement.
“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.”
Beckham, according to The Financial Times, would hold a sizable minority stake in Guild Esports via DB Ventures, his personal investment company. Guild Esports expects to compete this coming fall, with Carleton Curtis serving as executive chairman. Curtis has been heavily involved in the esports community.
“We have built an experienced management team and I am proud to have David Beckham as co-owner in this venture as his professionalism and deep experience of developing high-functioning sports teams aligns with our core strategy of building the best in class esports teams,” Curtis said in a statement.
“At Guild Esports, David will be instrumental in helping shape the coaching program implemented at our academies and we welcome his valuable mentoring as well as the inspiration he gives the younger generation of athletes."
