The Arnault family, renowned for their ownership of the luxury conglomerate LVMH and their position among the wealthiest families in the world, is looking to cement majority ownership of Paris FC, a modest soccer club in France’s second division. However, any aspirations for significant sporting achievements are envisioned as part of a gradual, long-term plan.
Antoine Arnault, the son of Bernard Arnault—CEO and chairman of LVMH—shared that the family’s investment in Paris FC is driven by passion rather than profit. Speaking to CNBC, he noted that the goal is to emulate the kind of success achieved by energy drink giant Red Bull with its ownership of German club RB Leipzig and Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg.
The Arnaults have joined forces with Red Bull in this endeavor. According to reports from the Associated Press, the Arnault family’s holding company, Agache, will initially acquire a 52% stake in Paris FC, while Red Bull will hold an 11% share.
Antoine Arnault expressed the family’s belief in the potential of Paris FC, highlighting not just its sporting promise but also its branding opportunities. “We saw more interest and potential in this club than others—not just from a football perspective, but also from a branding standpoint. Paris FC has a strong foundation, but it needs a solid financial backer to reach the next level,” he explained.
Arnault described Paris as a unique football market, pointing out that it is the only major European city with just one dominant team—Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), owned by Qatari investors. Paris FC, by contrast, has been largely under the radar, having last competed in France’s top football league in the 1970s.
“There’s a bit of an anomaly in French football, especially in Paris. This city has room for more than one big football team,” Arnault said. “Paris FC already has a strong infrastructure, a good team, and an impressive story. What it lacks is a stronger financial push to elevate it.”
However, he was quick to temper expectations, stating that any comparison to PSG would be premature. “It would be extremely presumptuous to even mention ourselves alongside PSG. Our first goal is to rise to Ligue 1 (France’s top division) and then grow steadily from there. We want to create a club with strong values—one that fans respect and enjoy supporting.”
Arnault emphasized the importance of patience in their approach, noting that undue pressure to achieve quick success can often backfire. “We are not an investment fund. We’re not demanding Champions League titles in three, five, or even ten years. What we want is for the players to perform at their best and leave everything on the pitch, without the weight of unrealistic expectations.”
The club’s future prospects also received a boost with the involvement of Jürgen Klopp, the former Liverpool manager who led the English club to domestic and European glory. Klopp recently took on the position of Red Bull’s global head of football and is expected to collaborate with the Arnaults in an advisory capacity for Paris FC.
Investments in sports teams by wealthy families and corporations are not new, often serving as a branding opportunity or a symbol of prestige rather than a direct profit-making venture. However, the Arnaults’ strategy appears more focused on building a lasting legacy rather than acquiring a high-profile “trophy asset.”
This approach contrasts with the method adopted by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, who purchased Wrexham AFC—a struggling fifth-tier Welsh soccer club—in 2020. Their journey to revitalize the team and its fortunes became the subject of a globally successful documentary series, bringing Wrexham newfound attention and financial growth.
The Arnault family’s plans, however, are more akin to Red Bull’s model. Red Bull’s investments in Leipzig and Salzburg elevated both clubs to the top of their respective leagues, with the added benefit of Red Bull-branded stadiums. Yet, this approach has drawn criticism from rival fans, who view it as overly commercial.
Addressing these comparisons, Antoine Arnault made it clear that the family’s ambitions go beyond superficial achievements. “If we were looking for a trophy, we’d have gone after something else entirely,” he said. “What we want is to build a story of perseverance, effort, and integrity—values that resonate with fans and create a sense of pride in the club.”
For the Arnault family, Paris FC represents an opportunity to nurture the growth of a club with untapped potential. While the journey may be gradual, they are committed to building a team and a legacy that supporters can genuinely rally behind.
