Bernard Arnault’s Family Eyes Majority Stake in Paris FC, Red Bull to Join as Minority Investor

The family holding company of Bernard Arnault, France’s wealthiest individual and the luxury goods magnate, announced on Thursday that it has entered into exclusive negotiations to acquire a majority stake in Ligue 2 football club Paris FC.

Additionally, energy drinks giant Red Bull is in talks to secure a minority stake in the club, according to a statement from the Arnault family’s holding company, Agache. This move is expected to significantly alter the landscape of French football.

Sources familiar with the deal revealed that the Arnault family is set to hold an initial 55% stake in Paris FC, while Red Bull would take a 15% share. Pierre Ferracci, the club’s president since 2012, is expected to retain 30% of the capital until 2027, when he will sell his remaining shares to the Arnault family, allowing them to own 85% of the club.

The statement from Agache noted that the arrival of the Arnault family as the club’s majority shareholder would mark a new era for Paris FC, with ambitions to achieve greater success. The holding company also aims to return the men’s team to the top tier of French football and has similar ambitions for the women’s team, which already competes in the first division.

Arnault, who leads the LVMH luxury empire, has been expanding his interests beyond luxury goods, recently acquiring control of the Paris Match magazine. The potential acquisition of Paris FC could reshape French football, which has been dominated by Paris Saint-Germain since its acquisition by Qatar Sports Investments in 2011.

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