Haig Club helps Beckham achieve highest fortune

David Beckham’s partnership with Diageo on Haig Club helped the retired football star to achieve the highest earnings of his career in 2014.

Following his launch of Haig Club Scotch whisky with drinks giant Diageo, David Beckham earned the most money in his career

According to Forbes, the former England captain made US$75 million last year, ranking behind basketball star Michael Jordan in the publication’s list of the highest-paid retired sports stars.

Despite working as a top-paid player for a number of different high profile teams, including Manchester United and Real Madrid, Beckham earned his highest ever income in his first full year of retirement.

Forbes notes that Beckham’s earnings were “supercharged” by two significant deals, one of which was his partnership with UK drinks giant Diageo to launch single grain Scotch whisky brand Haig Club, which is now available across the globe.

The other deal was with Hong Kong-based Global Brands Group, which develops Beckham-branded consumer goods.

Payment details were not disclosed when the partnership was announced in April last year. Simon Fuller, best known as the creator of TV sensation American Idol, was also brought on board as a partner with the brand.

Beckham personally owns a stake in Haig Club, and will play a “fundamental” role in developing the brand, with the aim of introducing grain whisky to new audiences.

While Diageo claimed Beckham will also play promote its responsible drinking programme, the partnership has come under fire by charities claiming it sends a “confusing” message due to the star’s appeal to children.

However, Alcohol Concern’s attempt to block Haig Club’s first TV advertisement, starring Beckham, was thrown out by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).