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The Room Where It Happened

How David Beckham Became Football’s First $500M Brand | Simon Bayliff

Before athletes became global brands, there were a handful of people shaping the strategy behind the scenes. In this episode, founder and CEO of ARETÉ Simon Bayliff takes us inside the decisions that built “Brand Beckham,” and the close working relationship that underpinned it; built on trust, alignment, and a shared focus on performance first.


He breaks down how Beckham’s brand was carefully constructed, from defining what made him marketable to choosing partnerships that delivered real impact. It’s also a look at how that model has evolved, and why today’s top athletes are no longer just talent, but full-fledged businesses driven by the decisions made in the room.


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