AusLeisure

Formula One’s US-based owner Liberty Media Corporation has announced an agreement to acquire MotoGP’s parent company Dorna Sports S.L..

In a transaction reflecting an enterprise value of €4.2 billion/US$4.5 billion for Dorna/MotoGP and an equity value of €3.5 billion/US$3.75 billion, Liberty Media’s acquisition of the world’s leading motorcycle racing championship expands its portfolio of global sporting assets.

This new agreement will see Dorna Sports, the exclusive commercial and television rights holder of MotoGP™, remain an independently run company attributed to Liberty Media’s Formula One Group tracking stock.

Carmelo Ezpeleta, who has been Dorna Sports Chief Executive since 1994, will remain in his position and continue to run the business with his management team from its base in the Spanish capital of Madrid.

In a statement welcoming the acquisition, Ezpeleta noted “this is the perfect next step in the evolution of MotoGP, and we are excited for what this milestone brings to Dorna, the MotoGP paddock and racing fans.”

The deal will involve Liberty Media acquiring approximately 86% of Dorna Sports, with Dorna Sport management retaining around 14% of its equity.

It is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.

Dorna Sports, which was roughly 40% owned by the British private investment company Bridgepoint Group, also promotes the World Superbike Championship and all-electric FIM Enel MotoE™ World Championship. It also holds exclusive rights to other motorcycle racing series, including MotoGP™ feeder series Moto2™ and Moto3™, and the new FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship.

Liberty Media President and Chief Executive, Greg Maffei commented “we are thrilled to expand our portfolio of leading live sports and entertainment assets with the acquisition of MotoGP.

“MotoGP is a global league with a loyal, enthusiastic fan base, captivating racing and a highly cash flow generative financial profile. Carmelo and his management team have built a great sporting spectacle that we can expand to a wider global audience. The business has significant upside, and we intend to grow the sport for MotoGP fans, teams, commercial partners and our shareholders.”

The takeover could attract regulatory scrutiny. CVC Capital Partners, which sold Formula One to Liberty in 2017, was cleared by the European Commission to buy F1 in 2006 on condition that it sold Dorna Sports.

Image credit: MotoGP.

Related Articles

30th March 2024 - Visa ‘Future of Fandom’ report shows how sport fans engage with technology

28th March 2024 - Mike Trimby to become first non-rider inducted into MotoGP Hall of Fame

12th March 2024 - Global sports industry revenues predicted to reach US$260 billion by 2033

11th January 2024 - MotoGP marks 75th anniversary throughout 2024

26th November 2023 - Zendure spotlights its contribution to sustainability and innovation at MotoGP

10th November 2023 - MotoGP hits a new social media milestone with 50 million followers

3rd October 2023 - MotoGP experiences 20% growth in global audiences

28th September 2023 - MotoGP releases its provisional 2024 world championship calendar

22nd September 2023 - MotoGP and AWorld launch new fan engagement project for sustainable action

1st September 2023 - MotoGP names GoPro as official Action Camera Partner

25th July 2023 - Re-imagined website for MotoGP enhances fan engagement

13th July 2023 - MotoGP partners with Never Say Never agency to enhance fan engagement

7th July 2023 - Formula 1 adapts 2024 race calendar to reduce environmental impact

10th May 2023 - Formula 1 revenues rise to US$381 million in first quarter

30th April 2023 - FIM and Dorna Sports announce new Women’s Motorcycling World Championship

28th April 2023 - Liberty extends naming rights partnership with A-League Women and agrees major sponsorship with A-League Men

22nd February 2023 - Experienced, cohesive team announced for another year of sporting success for MotoGP

19th September 2022 - Dorna Sports obtains certification for its sustainable event management system of the MotoGP World Championship

6th September 2022 - Dorna Sports and Saudi Motorsport Company to host MotoGP in Saudi Arabia

17th June 2022 - Dorna and Motorsport Network partner to launch inaugural Global MotoGP Fan Survey

24th March 2022 - Dorna Sport partnership with PETRONAS ensures Grand Prix of Malaysia for at least another three years

17th February 2021 - Dorna Sport announces Red Bull as title partner for 2021 Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix

29th January 2017 - New era for F1 as Liberty Media completes takeover

---

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.