Bernard Arnault, named the world’s richest man in 2024 by Forbes, is reportedly close to acquiring a controlling stake in French football club Paris FC.
Arnault’s family is collaborating with Red Bull Group in a consortium to secure a 55% majority stake in the club, with plans to purchase President Pierre Ferracci’s 30% share by 2027.
Red Bull is expected to acquire a 15% stake in Paris FC, marking its first move into French football after its involvement with RB Leipzig in Germany, Red Bull Salzburg in Austria, and a recent minority stake in English club Leeds United.
If the sale goes through, it would be the largest football club ownership takeover in France since Qatar Sports Investment (QSI) acquired Paris Saint-Germain in 2011.
According to Forbes’ annual Richest People in the World list, Arnault and his family had a net worth of $233 billion last year, making them the wealthiest globally. They have remained in the top five of these rankings for several years.
As Chairman and CEO of the global luxury conglomerate LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, Arnault oversees a portfolio of some of the world’s most iconic brands, spanning fashion, wines and spirits, jewelry, and hotels.
Arnault’s net worth is $182.5 billion, significantly surpassing PSG Chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi’s $6.2 billion, making it the first French football club to rival and exceed PSG’s financial strength in the past decade. However, QSI’s total holdings are valued at up to $450 billion.
PSG has remained one of Europe’s wealthiest football clubs, bringing in top players like Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr., and Kylian Mbappé while dominating Ligue 1 with ten league titles since QSI’s takeover.
Recently, the club saw its star players—Messi, Neymar Jr., and Mbappé—depart within a year, and despite their presence, PSG has repeatedly fallen short of winning the UEFA Champions League.
Arnault’s upcoming ownership of Paris FC could challenge PSG’s position as France’s top club, but the second-division team must first secure promotion back to Ligue 1.
Paris FC currently plays in Ligue 2 and is at the top of the table this season. However, according to the respected French sports newspaper L’Équipe, the new owners have no intention of challenging PSG right away, even if Paris FC earns promotion to Ligue 1 next season.
Instead, the club aims to solidify its place in Ligue 1 and possibly qualify for the UEFA Champions League, focusing on strengthening its efforts in scouting young talent from Paris, its surrounding areas, across France, and internationally. This is where Red Bull could play a key role.
The Red Bull Football Group has earned widespread recognition for its exceptional ability to identify and nurture young football talent from every corner of the globe. Over the years, the group has scouted and developed some of the world’s top players, such as Erling Haaland and Sadio Mané, both of whom were brought to Red Bull Salzburg at crucial stages in their careers. Their success stories are just a few examples of the group’s continued commitment to talent development, which has spanned the last decade. Red Bull’s football network, which includes clubs in Austria, Germany, Brazil, and beyond, has become synonymous with spotting and honing future stars who go on to make significant impacts in top leagues across Europe.
Paris, often hailed as one of Europe’s most prolific hubs for emerging football talent, has produced a remarkable number of world-class players. From the dazzling Kylian Mbappé to midfield dynamo N’Golo Kanté and legendary figures like Thierry Henry, the French capital has consistently been a breeding ground for footballing excellence. Given its reputation, it is no surprise that Red Bull will turn its attention to Paris when seeking the next generation of footballing talent. The club’s scouting network, combined with the strategic insights gained from their successes at clubs like Red Bull Salzburg and RB Leipzig, makes them ideally positioned to tap into the rich talent pool in Paris and its surrounding suburbs.
With Bernard Arnault’s immense financial backing behind Paris FC and Red Bull’s unparalleled expertise in youth development and scouting, the future of the club looks promising. The combination of resources and experience could quickly propel Paris FC into the upper echelons of French football. If the club continues to build upon its solid foundation and bring in top-tier young talent, it may only be a matter of time before Paris becomes the epicenter of Ligue 1 competition, with two clubs from the same city, Paris FC and PSG, battling it out for the coveted league title. This potential rivalry, fueled by Arnault’s investment and Red Bull’s developmental influence, would reshape the landscape of French football for years to come.
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