Show Notes
David Beckham retired more than a decade ago—so why was he still one of the biggest commercial stars of the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
That question reveals something much bigger than one footballer's career.
In this episode of Moneyball, we explore why Beckham remains one of the most valuable commercial brands in world sport, how he reinvented himself after retirement, and why football is still searching for a player who can match his global appeal.
From the infamous 1998 World Cup red card and his reinvention as a global celebrity, to co-founding Inter Miami and becoming one of football's most influential ambassadors, Beckham's career offers a masterclass in athlete branding.
We also examine whether today's biggest stars—including Lamine Yamal, Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland—have what it takes to become football's next truly global commercial icon.
This episode explores the business of football, sports marketing, sponsorship, athlete branding, personal brands and the commercial forces shaping the world's biggest sport.
About Moneyball Moneyball is an Australian sports business show exploring the intersection of sport, money, media and culture.
Each week, host Scott Keenan speaks with the people shaping the business behind sport—from league executives and club CEOs to marketers, broadcasters, academics and athletes—to explain the deals, decisions and incentives that shape the games we love.
Whether you're a sports industry professional or simply a fan who wants to understand how sport really works, Moneyball pulls back the curtain on the stories behind the biggest moments in sport.
Because if you want to know what's really going on in sport... You've got to follow the money.
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