LVMH’s Arnault Family in Talks to Buy Majority Stake in Storied Parisian Soccer Club

Agache, the holding company of LVMH founder and Chief Executive Bernard Arnault ’s family, is in exclusive talks to buy a majority stake in storied soccer club Paris FC, extending one of Europe’s richest families’ foray into sports.

Agache said in a statement Thursday that the Arnault family is teaming up with Austrian energy-drink maker Red Bull, which is currently negotiating a minority stake in the second-tier Parisian club.

While Red Bull will be involved with the sporting element in an advisory function, the Arnault family intends to provide the club with the resources its needs for its economic and sporting development.

Though the move would be the family’s first step into soccer, Red Bull is already heavily invested in the sport with stakes in top-level clubs in Germany, Austria and the U.S.

Through LVMH, however, the family has ramped up its sports involvement and sponsorships recently.

Earlier this month, the company struck a 10-year partnership deal with Formula One, capitalising on the sport’s global ascendance. And this summer, LVMH brands were hard to miss at the Paris Olympics after the luxury-goods maker paid roughly 150 million euros to be a sponsor of the global event.

With the controlling stake in Paris FC, the family aims to establish both the men’s and women’s side among the elite of French football, Agache said.

“With the arrival of Agache as the club’s majority shareholder, the club will take on a new dimension with new goals and criteria for success,” it said.

The current owner of Paris FC, Pierre Ferracci, will remain president, Agache said. Antoine Arnault will be Agache’s representative on the club’s board of directors.

Paris FC, founded in 1969, returned to professional ranks in 2015 after spending four decades in the amateur leagues. It hasn’t been a part of France’s top flight league since the late 1970s, but currently sits at the top of the second-best division in the French leagues.

Australian shares fell on Thursday as Wall Street weakness, rising oil and persistent rate concerns weighed on most of the market.

The S&P/ASX 200 declined 0.72 per cent to 8,702. The All Ordinaries lost 0.66 per cent to finish at 8,897. Mining stocks were hit particularly hard, while real estate also dragged on the index.

Energy was the notable exception, gaining more than one per cent as Brent crude traded above US$103 a barrel. Oil had moved higher amid uncertainty surrounding potential US diesel-export restrictions and broader geopolitical supply risks. The move supported energy producers but renewed concern about inflation inputs across transport and the wider economy.

Gold shares were weak even as spot bullion remained historically elevated. The All Ordinaries Gold index fell about 2.25 per cent, showing that equity performance can diverge from the commodity because of valuation, currency, operating and company-specific factors.

Zip was a prominent loser, falling 11.38 per cent after the company reported short sales after the previous close. Nine Entertainment also weakened after UBS analysts warned of near-term revenue challenges associated with its advertising-supported subscription tier.

Premier Investments led larger winners despite caution about the retail environment. Breville, in which Premier owns a significant stake, also appeared among leading movers. In the broader ASX 300 screen, Myer gained 11.43 per cent and MAAS Group rose 7.93 per cent, while Lotus Resources fell 10.53 per cent. These percentage moves should be checked against company announcements and trading liquidity before attributing causes.

The Australian dollar was broadly flat at US70.38 cents. Spot gold was around US$4,280 an ounce, Brent crude approximately US$103.08 a barrel and iron ore near US$96.90 a tonne late in the session.

The rate outlook remains the central domestic catalyst. Labour-market weakness has not eliminated the possibility of an RBA increase next week, leaving banks, listed property and other rate-sensitive sectors exposed to changing expectations.

Market dashboard

S&P/ASX 200: 8,702, down 0.72 per cent.

All Ordinaries: 8,897, down 0.66 per cent.

Best sector: Energy, up more than one per cent.

Weakest areas: Real estate and materials were the major drags; confirm final sector percentages before publication.

Material winner: Premier Investments led the large-company gainers. Confirm its final closing move from the ASX before publication.

Material loser: Zip, down 11.38 per cent.

ASX 300 percentage leader: Myer, up 11.43 per cent.

ASX 300 percentage laggard: Zip, down 11.38 per cent.

AUD/USD: Approximately US$0.7038, broadly flat.

LVMH’s Arnault Family in Talks to Buy Majority Stake in Storied Parisian Soccer Club

Agache intends to provide the second-tier Parisian club with the resources it needs for its economic and sporting development