Arnault’s eldest son talks about buying Paris Football Club: It’s a family project that I started with my brothers and sisters!
On November 20, LVMH Group’s controlling family Arnault familyAcquisition at the Orly training base south of Paris Paris FC (Paris Football Club)A press conference was held.
Present on behalf of the family was Antoine Arnault, the eldest son of Bernard Arnault, the head of the LVMH Group, the CEO and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Christian Dior Holdings, the controlling shareholder of the LVMH Group, and the image and environment director of the LVMH Group. Chairman of Berluti and Loro Piana.
News of the acquisition of Paris FC first surfaced in October this year (see Luxe.Co’s historical report for details:LVMH’s Arnault family plans to team up with Red Bull to acquire a majority stake in Paris FC), but the negotiations had already been conducted secretly in April this year.
Antoine Arnault said, “This is a family project that my siblings and I started… we thought it would be a good idea to branch out into something a little more exciting than our usual scope of business. Football is a sport I have loved since I was 10 years old。”
It is reported that this transaction will be carried out in two stages:
In the first phase, Agache, the investment company of the Arnault family, will acquire 52% of Paris FC and Austrian energy drink giant Red Bull will acquire 11% of the club. Current president Pierre Ferracci, who has been in charge of Paris FC since 2012, will retain a 30% stake.
In the second phase, Pierre Ferracci’s stake will be transferred in 2027, at which time Agache’s stake will rise to more than 80% and Red Bull’s stake will rise to 15%.
Above: Antoine Arnault (left) and Pierre Ferracci (right)
Antoine Arnault said, “We are not alone and fighting alone, Red Bull is our partner. We know our strengths and weaknesses. We are good at management, but we don’t know enough about football operations.” Arnault also emphasized the use of Red Bull’s resources Plans to tap the Paris region’s deep football talent pool: “Paris has probably the best football talent pool (city) in the world, second only to São Paulo (Brazil)… Red Bull’s revolutionary data tools will greatly help our scouting efforts。”
According to procedures, the acquisition has been approved by the French Football League and the transaction is expected to be completed on November 29. The transaction amount has not yet been announced.
Last year, Paris FC lost 10 million euros. Agache expects that in the coming seasonsAt least 100 million euros will be invested in the club. If the team can be promoted in the following season (this year, the club leads the Ligue 2 standings halfway through the season. As usual, the champion of the Ligue 2 will qualify for the French Ligue 1 next season.), the company’s investment There will be more funding.
Antoine Arnault described the project as a long-term effort to elevate Paris FC’s men’s and women’s football teams to the top level. To this end, the Arnault family also plans to appoint the former Liverpool Football Club (Liverpool) head coach Jürgen KloppServe as the global head of football projects (taking office in January next year), and jointly build Paris FC into a powerful team in French football. Antoine Arnault said, “I have spoken to Klopp many times and he is very, very excited about working with us.”
It is reported that Paris FC’s long-term goal is to compete with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), a French football powerhouse owned by Qatar Sports Investments. Since being acquired in 2011, PSG has won the Ligue 1 title in 10 of the past 12 seasons and reached the Champions League final in 2020.
It is worth mentioning thatAntoine Arnault himself is a fan of Paris Saint-Germain.However, Arnault downplayed the rivalry between the two teams in his speech, “Paris Saint-Germain is a club that I have loved since I was 12 years old and I would never say otherwise. I support both teams in this city. Team.……We (acquired Paris FC) were not looking to make money, we wanted to provide an emotional experience for the fans. We are deeply inspired by the Paris Olympics and its positive impact.(However) we (also) are not used to wasting money and will strive to achieve financial balance。”
Ferracci, who has led Paris FC since 2012, emphasized the importance of the club’s sustainable development at the press conference. At the same time, Ferracci said when referring to the dominance of foreign capital in French clubs,“Football has sovereignty issues and it would be good if Paris FC could emerge with the support of French capital.”
｜Source: Goal, AFP, ESPN
｜Image source: Paris FC official website and official Instagram, Antoine Arnault’s personal Instagram
｜Editor in charge: Liu Jun
Here are two PAA related questions for the provided text:
## The Arnault Family Takes the Pitch: An Interview
Welcome back to World-Today-News. Today, we’re analyzing the recent announcement of the Arnault family’s acquisition of Paris FC, a move that has sent ripples through the world of French football. We’ve invited two experts to delve into this fascinating development – **Sophie Dubois**, a sports economist specializing in French football, and **Alex Girard**, a veteran sports journalist.
**Introduction: A Family Affair?**
**Interviewer:** Antoine Arnault frames this acquisition as a “family project,” highlighting the Arnault family’s love for football. Sophie, how significant is this personal element in understanding the motivations behind this acquisition?
**Sophie Dubois:** I think it’s important to acknowledge the sentimental aspect. The Arnaults are known for their ambitious ventures, often driven by a personal passion. However, this is still a calculated business decision with a long-term vision.
**Interviewer:** Alex, do you agree?
**Alex Girard:** Absolutely. While the personal touch adds intrigue, the Arnaults wouldn’t invest billions without a strategic plan. Their track record in luxury goods suggests they aim for long-term value creation, and football, with its global reach, presents a compelling opportunity.
**Section 1: The Arnaults’ Vision for Paris FC**
**Interviewer:**
Antoine Arnault emphasizes elevating Paris FC to a top-level team. How realistic are these ambitions?
**Sophie Dubois:** Ambitions are laudable, but the reality is PSG dominates the French football scene. Can Paris FC truly compete with a club backed by Qatar Sports Investments? It’s a steep climb, requiring substantial investment, astute management, and perhaps some luck.
**Interviewer:**
The article mentions Jürgen Klopp’s appointment as global head of football projects. Alex, could Klopp’s expertise be the key differentiator for Paris FC?
**Alex Girard:**
Klopp’s footballing pedigree is undeniable. His tactical acumen and man-management skills are highly respected. However, even Klopp’s brilliance needs the right infrastructure and resources to flourish. The success hinges on the Arnaults’ commitment to providing a strong foundation both at the club’s operational level and on the pitch.
**Section 2: The Red Bull Partnership and Football Development**
**Interviewer:**
Paris FC’s partnership with Red Bull raises interesting questions. What are the potential benefits and drawbacks of this collaboration for both clubs?
**Alex Girard:**
Red Bull brings significant expertise in scouting and data analytics, particularly in identifying young talent. This could be invaluable for Paris FC. However, concerns exist about Red Bull potentially using Paris FC as a feeder club for their other teams. It’s crucial that the partnership fosters genuine mutual benefit and doesn’t become exploitative.
**Interviewer:**
Sophie, how does this collaboration tie in with the broader trend of foreign investment in French football?
**Sophie Dubois:**
It’s part of a larger trend, highlighting the increasing global interconnectedness of football. While foreign investment can bring in much-needed resources, it’s essential for French authorities to ensure a balance and safeguard the long-term interest of local clubs and fans.
**Section 3: The Competition with PSG and the Future of Paris FC**
**Interviewer:**
Antoine Arnault states the family isn’t buying Paris FC to make money but wants to provide an “emotional experience” for fans. How will they balance financial success with emphasizing fan engagement?
**Alex Girard:**
This is a delicate balancing act. Football fans are notoriously passionate and loyal, but they also demand success. Striking a balance between generating revenue and fostering a strong connection with fans will be crucial for the long-term sustainability of the project.
**Interviewer:**
looking ahead, what are your predictions for the fate of Paris FC under the Arnault family’s stewardship?
**Sophie Dubois:**
It’s a bold gamble. The Arnaults have the resources and vision, but transforming Paris FC into a contender challenging PSG will be a monumental task. It requires sustained investment, smart decision-making, and a touch of good fortune.
**Alex Girard:**
I agree. The next 5-10 years will be crucial. If the family’s commitment doesn’t waver and Klopp’s appointment benefits the club’s overall development, Paris FC could become a force to be reckoned with in French football. But, it’s a long and arduous journey.
**Interviewer:** Thank you both for sharing your insights. We will definitely be watching the unfolding story of
Paris FC with great interest.
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