[Saba Sports News] British media outlets report that David Beckham is set to earn as much as 25 million US dollars throughout this World Cup, outearning every active player in the tournament. As the official World Cup image ambassador, his face appears on giant stadium screens. During commercial breaks in live broadcast coverage, he stars in back-to-back ad spots for crisps, beer, home improvement, fast food, tech and financial brands. Meanwhile, Beckham can be seen sitting in the VIP stands in person, as if a virtual advertising figure has stepped into the real world. Australia’s ABC Television even compiled a montage of all his commercials aired across a single day, joking that he is the hardest-working brand ambassador, spending every waking second promoting merchandise for brands. During brief stoppages in play, global audiences’ eyes are fixed on the screens. He is seen holding beer in one clip, advertising crisps in another, and featuring in public service announcements encouraging young people to return to school. Thanks to this flood of advertising placements, Beckham has locked in his most lucrative commercial haul of the entire year.
The editor believes that David Beckham has long transcended his identity as a footballer. He is a finely tuned money-making machine, a living brand, and the busiest and wealthiest figure at this World Cup.