David Beckham kick-starts punditry career after agreeing new TV role in America

David Beckham has agreed to a deal with Paramount+ that will see him star in an alternative Champions League broadcast, with the show set to resemble the popular 'ManningCast'

David Beckham is gearing up to score on the small screen with his own 'ManningCast'-style show for Champions League matches on CBS Sports.

Beckham appeared on CBS Sports on Tuesday alongside host Kate Abdo and Thierry Henry, Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards. He dropped the news about his partnership with Paramount+, which will give birth to an alternative broadcast named 'Beckham and Friends' - giving a fresh spin to the network's coverage of the Champions League.

Modelled on the hit 'ManningCast' from the NFL season, Beckham's programme promises to add a touch of celebrity sparkle to the Champions League semi-final second legs and the Final on Paramount+.

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Beckham spilt the beans about the new venture while chatting it up in the studio: "Like you guys, I love watching the game. I like watching the game a certain way with family and friends. So, it’s going to be that kind of thing, where I’m sat there watching the games, commenting on the games with friends, talking about the games, and not sometimes talking about the games."

Beckham has revealed that guests on his new show won't need to be football experts, but the "bar is quite high" for those who get an invite. The 49-year-old hinted that each episode of the "watch party"-style altcast will likely feature a different celebrity pal.

When Jamie Carragher cheekily suggested that Beckham's close mate and ex-teammate Gary Neville might not make the cut, Becks simply responded with a "no" followed by a hearty laugh.

This deal with Paramount+ is part of a growing trend in sports broadcasting where multiple versions of the same event are presented, each with different commentary teams providing candid discussion. A prime example in the US is the 'ManningCast' - an ESPN show hosted by NFL legends Peyton and Eli Manning, now in its fourth season.

In 2022, Paramount Global renewed its US rights deal for UEFA soccer, shelling out $1.5billion (£1.14bn) for a six-year extension through 2030. This includes coverage of the Europa League and the Europa Conference League.

CBS Sports forks out roughly $250m (£190m) annually for these rights, and Beckham's show adds another dimension to their coverage. The 2024-25 Champions League season kicked off on September 17, with the traditional group stage phase replaced by a league system featuring 36 teams.