Sam Wood could face a multimillion-dollar financial hit after being dumped by the fitness empire he founded, with fresh questions being raised about how much he personally received in the much-feted $71million sale of 28 By Sam Wood in 2022.
The former Bachelor star, 46, was arrested on Saturday night after police were called to a luxury holiday villa on Hastings Street in Noosa following reports of an alleged domestic violence incident.
While he is entitled to the presumption of innocence, the reputational damage he has suffered this week has been catastrophic.
Wood was charged with assault occasioning bodily harm and strangulation in a domestic setting and was remanded to the Maroochydore Watchhouse ahead of his bail application on Thursday.
The dramatic arrest triggered a rapid collapse of Wood’s commercial ties, with DBG Health, the parent company of 28 By Sam Wood, announcing on Tuesday it had rebranded to ’28’ and terminated all arrangements with him effective immediately.
That decision has now turned attention in legal circles to the fine print of the lucrative multimillion-dollar deal Wood struck more than four years ago to sell his hugely successful fitness program, and whether industry-standard provisions in that agreement could leave him exposed to a significant financial loss following his arrest.
Significantly, when the sale was announced, it was revealed the deal included a Persona Licence Deed, allowing the business to continue using Wood’s name, image and personal brand following the acquisition.
With millions at stake, solicitor Sam Macedone, the principal of Macedone Legal, told the Daily Mail that clauses common in business acquisition deals of this scale – which Wood would have most likely agreed to – could potentially come back to bite him.
Sam Wood (left, with wife Snezana Markoski) could face a multimillion-dollar financial hit after being dumped by the fitness empire he founded
Wood’s Brighton home, which is being renovated, remains heavily mortgaged to ANZ
The former Bachelor, 46, was arrested on Saturday after police were called to a luxury holiday villa on Hastings Street in Noosa following reports of an alleged domestic violence incident
‘I would imagine there is something in there about not bringing the product into disrepute,’ Macedone said.
‘If someone is remaining the face of the business and stayed on as an ambassador, they would be agreeing to not bring harm to the name or cause detriment to the company.’
Macedone said that did not necessarily mean Wood would automatically have to repay the company for any financial loss, but it could leave the door open for a damages claim in the future.
‘People should think ahead for exactly these reasons when drawing up these contracts, especially when you want someone to stay on and you rely on them to get your $71million worth,’ he said.
‘But I’m sure it was the last thing on their mind because at that stage he was the ant’s pants and they needed him.
‘The idea that something like this would happen would be the last thing on their mind, so I can’t imagine they covered themselves for him to be liable for any loss.
‘They can sue for damages, though. They will have to prove that his actions caused the company a financial loss.
‘That amount would be anyone’s guess, depending on what the downturn is.’
Brands and fellow fitness industry professionals have been dropping Wood since his arrest, including former Gladiator Tiffiny Hall (left), who is the wife of comedian Ed Kavalee
According to Victorian Land Title records, both the Brighton and Mount Martha properties have mortgages listed with the ANZ bank. (The Mount Martha home is pictured)
Macedone also said that signing the deal four years ago did not necessarily mean Wood pocketed the oft-reported eye-watering payout all at once.
‘There would have likely been various targets to meet along the way – for example, in five years if everything is achieved more is released, and after 10 years again.
‘It’s also likely there would have been an amount paid out per year tied to his ambassador [role] and they may be well within their rights to cease that deal now, which it looks like they have done.’
Since his arrest, the business empire Wood spent years building around his name has come under mounting attack from furious customers.
A Facebook group titled ‘Boycott Sam Wood 28 Program’ has been created in the wake of his arrest, with members discussing cancelling memberships and seeking refunds because of Wood’s association.
In one post, a member said she had contacted the company to request a refund because she did not want her money going towards ‘a brand that is affiliated with him’.
Another client voiced her concern about the treatment within the weight loss support group.
‘The members have been silenced and unable to use our community forum, on the first day any comments were frantically deleted,’ she said.
‘A video from Sam a few days earlier also didn’t sit well with me where he basically said anyone who speaks negatively about the new app in the Facebook group will be removed.
‘Not allowed to share our opinions? I feel embarrassed to say I’m a member. Have already paid for a year in advance, but will not resubscribe.’
The controversy has also spread across TikTok and online forums, where hundreds of videos have been shared, with some people posting images of themselves throwing 28 By Sam Wood books in the bin.
The company is now scrambling to distance the 28 brand from its famous founder.
Since his arrest, the business empire Wood spent years building around his name has come under mounting attack from furious customers, with some publicly binning his cookbooks
The enormous private Facebook group for 28 by Sam Wood members was recently renamed
Once-loyal followers of Wood’s fitness program are asking if there are any ‘good alternatives’
DBG Health initially stood Wood down on Monday before announcing the following day that it had terminated all arrangements with him, saying it did not tolerate domestic violence ‘in any forms’.
‘Yesterday DBG Health announced Mr Wood had been placed on indefinite leave,’ the statement said.
‘As a result of further considerations, DBG Health has now terminated all arrangements.’
DBG Health indicated the company will be renamed to 28.
’28 will continue its great work under the leadership of Mark Watkin, supported by a broader group of experienced and respected health and wellness experts including trainers and employees.’
The separation has extended to the company’s online presence, with the private Facebook support group used by almost 100,000 members changing its name from ’28 by Sam Wood Member Community’ to simply ’28 Member Community’.
It comes after the ATO launched legal proceedings against Wood in November 2025, alleging $7.3million in unpaid taxes and fees. That dispute was only settled in August.
Furthermore, records show that one of Wood’s companies, The Woodshed Group Pty Ltd, where he served as a director and major shareholder, was deregistered at the end of August after failing to satisfy annual fee payments and other compliance obligations for a number of years.
It also emerged this week that two of Wood’s Victorian properties, in Brighton and Mount Martha, remain heavily mortgaged to ANZ, putting him in an even more precarious financial position.
