TV Deals, Sports Endorsements & More

Not every retired footballer dreams of sitting in a commentary booth. Some of them have bigger ideas. Want bigger stages. And way more cameras.

I remember when Beckham’s Netflix series dropped—I wasn’t even planning to watch it. Then suddenly I was three episodes deep and Googling old match clips. It wasn’t just nostalgia; it was clever storytelling. Same with Ronaldo popping up in everything from mobile apps to new ad campaigns. It’s less of a career change, more like a reroute with better lighting.

So yeah, this isn’t about punditry or side gigs. It’s about footballers who saw the next act coming—and stepped into it like they owned the script.

Top 10 Footballers Who Became Media Moguls

Some footballers were never going to fade quietly after retirement. While others stepped into coaching, this lot stepped into boardrooms, TV studios, and streaming platforms. They didn’t just play the game—they figured out how to create it and stay in it, only this time from behind the camera or the business desk.

This list isn’t just about who’s the most famous. It’s about the football stars’ endorsements and athletes’ business ventures into lasting careers. These are the real media moguls of modern football.

David Beckham – The Business Empire

Call him what you like—style icon, team owner, Netflix star—but David Beckham knows how to play the long game. He’s worth around £400 million, and it’s not just from his old Real Madrid salary. 

Between athlete sponsorship deals (Adidas, Tudor, Maserati), a co-ownership of Inter Miami CF, and his media company Studio 99, Beckham has quietly built one of the most polished footballer media investments in the world.

And yes, he’s still everywhere. Documentaries? Check. Brand deals? Plenty. The Beckham name has become a symbol of lifestyle and elegance without ever losing that edge of football credibility. A footballer turned mogul, with assets in real estate, cars, exclusivity, and influence stitched into every move.

Gary Lineker

From striker to studio mainstay, Gary Lineker has been on UK screens for nearly three decades. 

He’s been the face of Match of the Day since 1999, bringing insight and sharp wit to millions each week. His long-running sponsorship with Walkers Crisps—now over 25 years—remains one of the most iconic athlete endorsement campaigns in British advertising. 

Alongside footballer TV deals, Lineker has also fronted political and humanitarian broadcasts. He’s proven that ex-players can use fame to stay influential and relevant in media.

Thierry Henry

Henry doesn’t shout for attention, but somehow, he always gets it. Whether it’s a calm takedown of a tactical blunder on CBS or a sharp one-liner on Sky Sports, his delivery lands. The man could explain offside like a smooth, late-night DJ.

Off-camera, he’s lent his name to thoughtful campaigns, not just flashy ones—from anti-racism work with UEFA to ads that actually match his brand. Henry’s post-football path isn’t noisy, but it’s full of purpose and presence.

Rio Ferdinand

Rio Ferdinand has the status of having one of the most unique footballer media careers post-retirement. His BBC documentary “Being Mum” and Dad won a BAFTA and sparked meaningful conversations about grief and mental health. 

Regularly seen on BT Sport’s Champions League coverage, he mixes sharp football analysis with personal storytelling. Ferdinand has also built a digital media company, sharing how athlete sponsorships and footballer brand partnerships can serve both business and philanthropy.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Ronaldo doesn’t do subtle. He’s the symbol of more brands than some agencies manage in a decade—Nike, Binance, TAG Heuer—the list reads like a billionaire starter pack. His CR7 fitness app? Millions of downloads. Hotels in his possession? Planted in multiple.

And it’s not just about logos. Ronaldo shows up in documentaries, in ads, even in mobile games—always with that trademark grin. It’s athlete sponsorships at their loudest, and somehow, still strategic. Like his free kicks: flashy, on target, and rarely ignored.

Lionel Messi

Messi’s approach may be quieter than Ronaldo’s, but his impact is just as significant. His recent Apple TV+ docuseries, Messi Meets America, tracked his arrival at Inter Miami CF and quickly climbed the platform’s global top charts. 

He continues to lead endorsement deals with Adidas, Lays, and Hard Rock Cafe—contracts that reportedly bring in $50–60 million annually.

His media and brand presence leans into elegance and loyalty. From exclusive homes in Barcelona and Miami to low-key tech and sports investments, Messi is the definition of understated wealth. His career isn’t loud—it’s lasting, refined, and built on trust.

Zlatan Ibrahimović

Zlatan didn’t just retire—he expanded. If you thought he’d quietly fade into coaching or commentary, you clearly don’t know your player. He’s been in car commercials that look like action movies, teased a biopic about himself (of course), and still pops up in the most unexpected places. (Looking at you, gaming crossovers and late-night talk shows.)

His footballer endorsements have always matched his personality: loud, sharp, borderline absurd. But that’s what makes it work. He’s not trying to blend in or smooth the edges. If anything, he leans into the chaos, and brands eat it up. Say what you want, but there’s a reason people still quote him like he’s a philosopher in football boots.

Jamie Carragher

Carragher didn’t ease into the media—he cannonballed. No slow build-up, just straight into Sky Sports with Gary Neville, disagreeing loudly and often. He’s sharp, quick, and still carries the energy of someone who could throw in a two-footed tackle if the mic stand annoyed him.

His footballer endorsements are low-key, but his voice is everywhere—on the telly, Twitter, and occasionally in your head after a particularly blunt take. Carragher’s media style isn’t polished—it’s honest, and somehow that’s what makes it great.

Cesc Fàbregas

Fàbregas has always had that calm, unbothered energy, and somehow it works just as well behind a mic as it did in midfield. Since retiring, he’s shown up on BBC and ITV during big tournaments, offering calm, clever analysis with zero ego. He’s not shouting to be heard, which ironically makes him stand out even more.

Off-camera, Cesc has backed youth football projects and dipped into media investments with a clear future in mind. This footballer’s sponsors are low-key, but brilliant, matching his style on and off the pitch. No fuss, no flash, just solid moves that make long-lasting sense.

Neymar Jr.

Neymar’s post-football presence feels more like a celebrity portfolio than a retirement plan. His Netflix documentary The Perfect Chaos didn’t just chart his career—it doubled as a global branding tool. He’s fronted campaigns for Puma, partnered with Fortnite and PUBG, and shows up in fashion mags just as often as sports columns.

What makes Neymar’s brand work isn’t just reach—it’s range. One week it’s luxury watches, the next it’s gaming skins. He’s one of the most prominent sports influencer endorsements. He influences fashion, gaming, tech, and streaming. It’s not subtle, but it is smart.

Major TV and Streaming Deals with Footballers

At this point, it’s weirder if a big-name footballer doesn’t have a streaming deal. A few years back, these were just fluff pieces. Now, they’re full-scale productions with budgets to rival prestige drama.

Beckham’s doc hit something like 200 million hours viewed. That’s wild. But also, not surprising. It’s part biography, part rebrand, part legacy play. These deals aren’t about topping up a bank account—they’re about staying relevant. They let players steer their own story while the world watches.

Sports Analysts and Commentators

Being a pundit isn’t just a gig anymore—it’s a whole media lane. Gary Neville reportedly pulls in around £1.5 million a year from Sky Sports. Carragher’s close behind. And let’s be honest, half the appeal is watching them argue in full suits like it’s a Champions League final.

These analyst spots offer footballers sports media contracts, weekly visibility, and enough meme-worthy moments to fuel their personal brands across Socials. And with platforms like Amazon and DAZN snapping up football content, the mic has become just as valuable as the match ball for retired stars.

Football Documentaries and Biopics

Documentaries used to be a post-career bonus. Now they’re basically part of the brand kit. A modern player retires, signs a deal, and boom—there’s a doc with moody lighting, emotional music, and a slow pan over old jerseys.

Beckham’s, Messi’s, even Ronaldo’s—they all follow a pattern, but they work. Fans feel like they’re getting the real story (or close enough), and players get to polish their legacy. It’s clever PR, but also a surprisingly effective way to stay in the spotlight without kicking a ball. Stars like Ronaldo and Neymar have used this medium to extend their brand far beyond sports.

Reality Shows and Special Appearances

Reality shows, fitness apps, cooking series—footballers are trying it all. Beckham’s heading to Netflix with a cooking show (yes, really), and Ronaldo somehow turned gym selfies into a full-blown wellness app with millions of users.

Some of it feels like PR, sure. But it works. Fans click, brands pay, and suddenly a post-football gig turns into a media machine. It’s less about the sport, more about keeping the spotlight—and these guys are getting really good at it.