Total assets amount to 205.7 trillion won. France’s richest man takes over Paris FC, the second division of French professional soccer.
It is reported that the Arnault family, which owns French luxury goods group Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy (LVMH), will take over Paris FC.
On October 18, the Arnault family issued a statement in the name of its holding company, Agache, and announced the acquisition of Paris FC together with Austrian beverage company Red Bull. It was only revealed that the Arnault family would become the majority shareholder of Paris FC, while Red Bull would own a minority stake. Figures such as the size of the contract were not disclosed.
Bernard Arnault. Photo = AFP = Yonhap News”/> news/cms/202410/19/news-p.v1.20241019.94b10b0da7c6440d811176544f86f4ac_R.jpg" data-width="660" data-height="440" /> Enlarge photo President Bernard Arnault. Photo = AFP = Yonhap News
According to the Associated Press, the Arnault family will acquire a 55% stake in Paris FC, and Red Bull will acquire approximately 15%. The rest is held by current owner Pierre Ferrazzi. Ferrazzi is said to remain as Paris FC president.
The Arnault family is the wealthiest family in France. Chairman Bernard Arnault’s wealth amounts to $150 billion (about KRW 205.7 trillion).
If the Arnault family takes over Paris FC, it will only be a matter of time before Paris FC is promoted to the French Ligue 1. If large-scale investments continue, the landscape of Ligue 1 could change.
news/cms/202410/19/news-p.v1.20240930.a72167d3e01741ec8bd67b26fa1e989b_R.jpg" data-width="660" data-height="439" /> Enlarge photo Kang-in Lee. Photo=AFPBBNews=News1
Ligue 1 is the era of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), where Lee Kang-in is active.
The acquisition of PSG by the Qatari royal capital in 2011 marked the end of the Olympique Lyonnais era.
Starting with its third Ligue 1 title in the 2012-13 season, PSG has won the league title a total of 12 times through the 2023-24 season. After acquiring the Qatari royal capital, he reached the top of the league 10 times.
PSG is listed as the team with the most wins in Ligue 1. PSG also has the most wins in the Coupe de France and Tropez des Champions.
news/cms/202410/19/news-p.v1.20240919.da4efedcbafb4ff39e610b2bf3baff69_R.jpg" data-width="660" data-height="440" /> Enlarge photo Kang-in Lee. Photo=AFPBBNews=News1
Paris FC was founded in 1969, and its only championship experience was winning the French fourth division in the 2005-06 season.
Paris FC is ranked first in the French second division this season. If Paris FC succeeds in getting promoted this season, they may be able to build a competitive system with PSG starting next season, backed by a huge amount of capital.
Red Bull, which owns Red Bull Salzburg, a prestigious Austrian professional soccer team, and RB Leipzig, a rising powerhouse in the German Bundesliga, said, “We will play an advisory role to strengthen our ability to discover promising prospects and top-level players to join Paris FC’s training.”
The Arnault family also pledged, “We will increase the value of the Paris FC brand with our entrepreneurial vision and expertise,” and “We will create a professional soccer team that will forever remain in the hearts of the French soccer elite and the citizens of Paris.”
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