Beckhams UK's First Billionaire Sports Couple

Sir David Beckham and his wife Victoria have become Britain's first billionaire sports couple, with their combined fortune reaching 1.185 billion pounds, according to the Sunday Times Rich List published this weekend.

The couple's wealth has more than doubled from 500 million pounds a year ago, propelling them from joint 273rd to 141st place on the overall list. Compilers attribute the surge primarily to Beckham's investments in Major League Soccer club Inter Miami, where his initial 16 million pound stake is now valued at 300 million pounds following the signing of Lionel Messi and the club's growth to an estimated 1.07 billion pounds. An additional 400 million pounds stems from property developments around the team's new 25,000-seat Freedom Park stadium, which includes retail, hospitality and office spaces. Beckham's ongoing endorsement deals with brands such as Adidas and Hugo Boss, alongside Victoria's fashion label that reported over 100 million pounds in revenues, have also contributed.

On the list of wealthiest sports figures, the Beckhams rank second behind Bernie Ecclestone's family at 2 billion pounds, ahead of promoters Barry and Eddie Hearn at 1.035 billion pounds....