Bill Ackman Dealt Blow In $64 Billion Bid For Universal Music Group By Major Shareholder Bolloré

BreakingBusinessBill Ackman Dealt Blow In $64 Billion Bid For Universal Music Group By Major Shareholder BolloréByConor Murray,Forbes Staff. Murray is a Forbes news reporter covering entertainment trends.Follow AuthorMay 27, 2026, 09:39am EDTToplineBillionaire Bill Ackman’s $64 billion bid to acquire record label Universal Music Group was dealt a blow on Wednesday, as Cyrille Bolloré, CEO of major shareholder Bolloré Group, said Ackman’s price isn’t high enough and questioned “whether he is compatible” with the company.Ackman made an offer valued at $64 billion to purchase Universal Music Group in April. (Photo Illustration by Pavlo Gonchar/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty ImagesKey FactsBolloré, son of French media mogul and billionaire Vincent Bolloré, slammed Ackman’s offer on Wednesday in his first public comments since Ackman offered to purchase the label for $64 billion in April.“We believe the price is absolutely not high enough,” Bolloré said, speaking at a Bolloré Group shareholder meeting, urging UMG’s management to reject Ackman’s bid.Bolloré said he does not know whether Ackman is “compatible with the management" of the business adding, “In any case, he is more abrupt, more rapid.”Ackman, who has expressed interest in acquiring the label for years, made a $64 billion offer in April to purchase UMG, which houses artists like Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar and Billie Eilish.Bolloré’s comments are a major blow to Ackman’s bid, as Vincent Bolloré owns 18% of UMG and Vivendi, in which he owns a major stake, owns 13% of the company (Ackman’s Pershing Square owns 4.5% of UMG shares).Ackman claimed in April the Bolloré Group was “intrigued” by his deal, but said without Bolloré’s backing, “we don't have a transaction.” if (!window.cnxel) { window.cnxel = {}; window.cnxel.cmd = []; var iframe = document.createElement('iframe'); iframe.style.display = 'none'; iframe.onload = function() { var iframeDoc = iframe.cont...