The family of LVMH chairman Bernard Arnault has increased its stake in Paris FC to 80% after acquiring the remaining 30% held by the club’s former owner and president, Pierre Ferracci. The transaction, outlined in an agreement signed in November 2024, also paves the way for Antoine Arnault, Bernard Arnault’s son, to become the club’s new president.
According to L’Équipe, the Arnault family’s investment holding company, Agache, initially acquired a 55% stake in Paris FC in November 2024, while energy drinks giant Red Bull purchased a further 15%. Ferracci retained the remaining 30% under an arrangement that was originally set to run until 2027.
With the latest transaction, the Arnault family’s ownership rises to 80%, while Red Bull retains its 15% stake.
Paris FC Targets Sustainable Growth
The increased investment marks another step in the Arnault family’s expansion into sports. Antoine Arnault will lead Paris FC as the club seeks to establish itself in French football following its promotion to Ligue 1.
When the original agreement was announced in November 2024, Ferracci said the Arnault family wanted to build a sustainable development path over the next decade, while remaining open to accelerating progress without skipping essential stages.
Paris FC generated between €10 million and €12 million in annual revenue during the 2024-25 season, when it secured promotion to France’s top division. Its budget for the 2025-26 campaign was estimated at between €70 million and €100 million.
LVMH Expands Its Presence in Sports
The Paris FC investment forms part of the wider sports strategy of LVMH, the luxury goods group behind brands including Louis Vuitton, Dior, Berluti and TAG Heuer.
LVMH signed a 10-year global sponsorship agreement with Formula 1 and was also among the major sponsors of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Its brands have developed partnerships across motorsport, including Louis Vuitton’s trophy trunk for the Monaco Grand Prix, Berluti’s partnership with French driver Pierre Gasly and Dior’s appointment of British driver Lewis Hamilton as a brand ambassador. TAG Heuer has also served as the official timekeeper of Red Bull Racing.
In April 2026, LVMH and private equity firm L Catterton launched a sports investment fund with an initial target of $500 million. The fund received backing from prominent athletes, including NBA star Kevin Durant, MLB player Mike Trout and golfer Patrick Cantlay.
Established alongside investor Mark Patricof, the venture aims to leverage athletes’ influence to increase the value of portfolio companies through brand endorsements and product promotion.
The increased stake in Paris FC adds a significant club ownership investment to the Arnault family’s broader sports portfolio, which spans football, major sporting events, motorsport partnerships and investment vehicles.