Media

Billionaire François-Henri Pinault eyes $7B majority stake in talent agency CAA

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Social Links for Alexandra Steigrad
Published July 14, 2023
Updated July 15, 2023, 4:09 p.m. ET

French tycoon François-Henri Pinault, the CEO of luxury fashion house Kering, is in advanced talks to acquire a majority stake in Hollywood talent agency Creative Artists Agency, according to a report.

CAA, which represents George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Scarlett Johansson, is backed by private equity firm TPG, and a majority stake could fetch “at least $7 billion,” people familiar with the talks told Bloomberg News Thursday evening.

The possible sale comes as the entertainment industry is in the throes of a massive strike by actors and writers.

A final decision hasn’t been made and talks could still end without a deal, one of the sources told Bloomberg.

The Post reached out to CAA for comment.

A spokesperson for Pinault didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment from Bloomberg.

Pinault, 61, is no stranger to Hollywood, marrying “Frida” actress Salma Hayek in 2009.

François-Henri Pinault, pictured with his wife Salma Hayek, has delved into Hollywood projects via his company, Kering .
François-Henri Pinault, pictured with his wife Salma Hayek, has delved into Hollywood projects via his company, Kering . Getty Images for Kering

The Mexican-born star, 56, is also a CAA client.

Pinault’s family owns a 41% stake in Kering, which owns designer brands like Gucci, Saint Laurent and Balenciaga.

The Frenchman has a net worth of $41.7 billion — placing him 30th on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

CAA, which reps big stars like George Clooney and Brad Pitt, is majority owned by private equity firm TPG.
CAA, which reps big stars like George Clooney and Brad Pitt, is majority owned by private equity firm TPG. Getty Images

CAA, founded in 1975 by Michael Ovitz, offers talent management services and packaged content for Hollywood studios.

Like its rivals, WME and United Talent Agency, CAA is backed by a private equity firm.

TPG acquired a 35% stake in CAA in 2010. The Fort Worth, Texas-based firm boosted its ownership stake to 54% in 2014, taking control of the business at a $1.1 billion valuation, according to Bloomberg.

The company bought smaller agency ICM Partners — which repped hit-maker Shonda Rhimes, who created “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Bridgerton” — two years ago for $750 million.

(L to R) Francois-Henri Pinault, Salma Hayek, Malala Yousafzai, Editor-In-Chief of British Vogue Edward Enninful and Asser Malik attend a celebration of Edward Enninful's new memoir "A Visible Man" at Claridge's Hotel last year in London.
(L to R) Francois-Henri Pinault, Salma Hayek, Malala Yousafzai, Editor-In-Chief of British Vogue Edward Enninful and Asser Malik attend a celebration of Edward Enninful’s new memoir “A Visible Man” at Claridge’s Hotel last year in London. Dave Benett/Getty Images

Pinault’s Kering Foundation has organized the Women in Motion initiative at the Cannes Film Festival since 2015.

This year, its Saint Laurent brand launched Saint Laurent Productions headed by house creative director Anthony Vaccarello.

According to Deadline, the production unit launched its first two projects at Cannes: Pedro Almodóvar’s latest short, “Strange Way of Life,” starring Ethan Hawke and Pedro Pascal, alongside another currently unnamed short.