Arnault, Red Bull’s Proposed Paris FC Takeover Set to Transform City’s Football Landscape

CEO of LVMH Bernard Arnault and his wife Helene Mercier arrive to attend a state dinner in honor of U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France June 8, 2024. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier

Paris, October 18, 2024 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – The proposed investment in Paris FC by the Arnault family and Red Bull, announced on Thursday, is poised to reshape Paris’s football scene, offering the French capital a second major football club alongside Paris St Germain (PSG). This move seeks to address the long-standing oddity in European football, where other major cities like London, Madrid, and Manchester boast multiple top-tier clubs, while Paris has been dominated by PSG.

The Arnault family, one of France’s wealthiest, is set to invest at least €100 million ($108.22 million) into Paris FC, with the potential to increase the budget to €200 million if the club secures promotion to Ligue 1 next season. This substantial financial backing would place Paris FC among the top 10, or possibly top 5, in Ligue 1 budgets. Red Bull, renowned for its successful global sports management model, will bring its expertise to the project, further enhancing the club's potential.

“For the stakeholders, this is a partnership with great promise. Red Bull’s proven track record in talent development and sports management has already seen success with clubs like Salzburg and Leipzig,” sports analyst Simon Chadwick told Reuters.

While PSG has capitalized on Paris’s status as a global hub for fashion, art, and culture, it remains heavily associated with its Qatari ownership. This dynamic has left room for a club that can truly represent Paris and its people. According to Chadwick, “There’s a growing appetite for an authentic Parisian football club, especially among younger generations who are open to new models of football.”

Paris FC, despite its potential, has struggled with fan engagement. The average attendance last season was below 5,500 in their 19,000-seat Charlety stadium, with tickets being free since last November. The club may soon consider moving to the Jean Bouin stadium, home to Stade Français rugby club, to accommodate their growing ambitions.

The project also holds economic and social promise for Paris, and with the support of French President Emmanuel Macron, the club is expected to navigate any political challenges. Beyond men’s football, Paris FC may also rise as a competitor in women’s football, challenging the dominance of Olympique Lyonnaise and PSG.

This takeover could create significant change in the Paris football scene, giving the city a second powerhouse club to rival PSG’s dominance.