David Beckham is ready to play in the Super Bowl, if not on the field, then on the television screens of millions of viewers. He’ll be flexing his muscles in a $3.5 million ad for UK clothing retailer H&M. It previewed today (Jan. 30).
The commercial will tout David Beckham Bodywear during the second quarter of the NFL championship game. Beckham will appear in his own branded underwear to the sounds of ’60s supergroup The Animals.
The soccer star will pose to the sound of the Nina Simone song “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood,” which the Animals released in 1965. “It was never considered pop material, but it somehow got passed on to us and we fell in love with it immediately,” frontman Eric Burdon said of the song.
Beckham, 36, who just signed a new contract to play for the Los Angeles Galaxy soccer team, said in a statement he and his team spent 18 months developing the collection. “It’s been a fantastic collaborative experience, and I’m very happy with the end result,” he added. L”ike every fan, I’m looking forward to Super Bowl Sunday.”
A pair of briefs will retail for $12.95, and boxers will sell for $14.95.
Beckham worked with wife Victoria as an underwear model for Emporio Armani before being replaced by soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo and actress Megan Fox.
The ad is pure, unmitigated beefcake. The camera pans Beckham’s body and all his tattoos with only brief glimpses of the product. Check it out below.
