• Loading stock data...
Sunday, September 7, 2025
Fox Analyst and Media Entrepreneur Greg Olsen to Speak at Tuned In Get your ticket now!

French Billionaire Nears $7B Deal For Talent Agency CAA

  • Deal with $7 billion valuation for leading agency described as “close”
  • Pinault showing confidence in agency business despite existential challenges
CAA logo on side on building
Shutterstock

Hollywood remains effectively shut down with the ongoing writers’ and actors’ strikes, but Francois-Henri Pinault continues to proceed with a $7 billion effort to acquire a majority stake in Creative Artists Agency — which would be a landmark deal in both sports and entertainment.

Nearly seven weeks after Pinault’s interest in the mega-agency first surfaced, the French billionaire is now reportedly approaching a definitive agreement to acquire majority control of CAA from Texas-based private equity firm TPG, with industry sources telling Front Office Sports the deal is “close.” Negotiations are now expected to conclude in the coming weeks.

The $7 billion valuation represents a sizable increase on the prior $5.5 billion from last year, when CAA acquired rival agency ICM Partners. It’s also possible that Temasek Holdings, a Singapore state-owned investment company, will increase its existing stake in CAA in the Pinault deal.

Pinault’s move shows a high amount of optimism in the face of significant headwinds across the agency business. Not only is nearly all film and television production shut down — the industry’s first tandem strike since 1960 — but sports representation is facing its own existential challenges.

CAA oversees nearly $18 billion in sports contracts and represents leading athletes such as MLB two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani, NFL superstars Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, and Justin Jefferson, as well as 12-time NBA All-Star Chris Paul. But agencies’ ability to negotiate deals are now constricted by a range of factors including cutthroat competition for clients, pressure on commissions, and rookie-scale contracts and draft slotting.

Pinault, the husband of Hollywood star Salma Hayek, is part of an expansive family business that is the leading shareholder in the parent company of Gucci and other luxury brands, and also controls the Christie’s auction house.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

More Dildo Throwing During WNBA Games Leads to Second Arrest

The 18-year-old threw a dildo that hit another fan and his young niece.

Smelling Salts Not Banned in the NFL, but Teams Can’t Hand Them..

Teams are banned from supplying smelling salts to their players.

March Madness Fields Will Stay Put at 68—at Least Until 2027

NCAA tournament expansion is still on the table for 2027.

Featured Today

Tennis

The US Open Is Groaning Under the Weight of Its Own Success

New York’s tennis major is more popular than ever.
Dec 21, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) gets ready to take the field prior to a game against the Houston Texans at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
September 5, 2025

How Brazil Game Fits Into NFL’s Plans for World Domination

Friday night’s Chiefs-Chargers game in São Paulo is big by design.
Oct 13, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) and wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) celebrate their touchdown pass during the second quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Lincoln Financial Field.
September 2, 2025

TV Ratings Just Changed Again. The NFL Will Be the Big Winner

Nielsen’s new viewership system will have a big impact on sports.
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) celebrates with offensive lineman Donovan Jackson (74) after a touchdown catch against Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the first quarter during the College Football Playoff National Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on January 20, 2025.
August 30, 2025

The Most Expensive Roster Year in College Football History

The House settlement created revenue-sharing—and a big NIL loophole.

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
June 24, 2025

Timberwolves’ 4-Year Ownership Saga Ends As A-Rod, Lore Take Over

The unanimous approval brought a clean end to a long-disputed transaction.
Apr 26, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (5) before game three of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center.
June 25, 2025

Rockets Get $20 Million in Wiggle Room From New VanVleet Deal

VanVleet first signed with the Rockets in 2023.
Sponsored

Trailblazer Cal Calamia Is Racing for ‘Advocacy, Storytelling, and Performance’

The marathoner wants excellence—not just inclusion—to be the goal for non-binary athletes.
April 20, 2025

Max Verstappen Linked to $300M Aston Martin Deal Ahead of Miami GP

Aston Martin is currently seventh in the constructors championship.
March 27, 2025

Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions Gets PE Boost

The Hall of Famer’s company gains another prominent backer.
March 20, 2025

High School Sports Power Signs Eight-Figure Rights Deal in First

The deal pays roughly $1 million annually, FOS has learned.
March 20, 2025

Maxx Crosby’s Agent: Edge Rushers Set to Dominate NFL’s Non-QB Market

Maxx Crosby just signed a three-year, $106.5 million extension.