Two big names in entertainment and business came together at Mip London 2025, in a conversation that grabbed the attention of the entire Kelvin Theatre at the IET Savoy Place. Bela Bajaria, Netflix‘s director of content, interviewed iconic former footballer and businessman David Beckham in a talk that touched on his professional evolution, the influence of sports documentaries and his new projects at Studio 99.
Bajaria and Beckham have worked together in the past, particularly on Netflix‘s documentary series Beckham, which became a global phenomenon and earned him an Emmy in 2024. This time, they announced that Studio 99 is in the midst of producing a series about Victoria Beckham‘s career in the fashion industry. «It took me a while to convince her to do it, but I finally did it,» Beckham commented with a laugh. «She’s one of the hardest working women I know and her business deserves to be told from another perspective.»
During the conversation, Beckham revealed how his post-football career has evolved into content production. He founded Studio 99 in 2019 with the goal of developing sports documentaries and commercials for global brands. “I always knew there would be stories I would want to tell, and Studio 99 has allowed me to do that in an authentic way,” he explained.
The former Manchester United and Inter Miami player also reflected on the impact of documentaries on audiences. “People identify with them because there is drama, inspiration and real emotions,” he said. The Beckham series was watched by more than 50 million people worldwide and allowed viewers to see a more vulnerable side of his life. «It was a difficult process. There were times when I wanted to stop production because I was exposing too much» he admitted.
Beckham continues to expand his business portfolio with initiatives such as his IN8 supplement line and his collaboration with Hugo Boss, which recently saw him star in a new underwear campaign. “I didn’t think I’d be posing in underwear again at 50, but here we are,” he commented humorously. He also revealed that he felt embarrassed in front of his mother, «She told me her friends were zooming in on the photo. It was one of the most embarrassing moments of my life.»
As for his television tastes, Beckham confessed that he is watching Yellowstone with his wife, although he acknowledges that they have different preferences: «She’s a fan of British dramas. I have to admit I’m not.»
In the digital age, Beckham stressed the importance of social media in his personal brand and in the entertainment industry. «They allow us to connect with the public in a direct way. It’s a digital relationship, but also a very personal one,» he said.
Finally, on soccer, he was forceful in choosing Lionel Messi as the best player of all time and stating that Real Madrid will win the UEFA Champions League. “All great teams go through difficult times, but they always bounce back,” he said when asked about Manchester United’s current situation.
MIP London 2025 marked a new milestone in the evolution of David Beckham, who demonstrated how he has managed to merge sport, entertainment and business in a multifaceted career that continues to evolve.
