The owners of Formula 1, Liberty Media, has announced the acquisition of MotoGP in a $4.2billion deal.
Liberty, who has owned F1 since 2017, will take an 86 per cent stake of the motorbike racing series’ parent company, Dorna Sports, with the current management retaining 14 per cent.
First established in 1949, Moto GP is the highest class of motorbike racing and has grown to comprise 22 races across 18 countries in the 2024 season.
The next race is the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas on April 14.
Dorna also holds exclusive rights to MotoGP feeder series Moto2 and Moto3 as well as MotoE, the Superbike World Championship and the FIM Women’s Motorcycling World Championship.
The deal, which is still subject to the receipt of clearances and approvals from various competition and foreign investment law authorities, is expected to be completed by the end 2024 and will see Dorna CEO, Carmelo Ezpeleta, remain in charge.
“We are thrilled to expand our portfolio of leading live sports and entertainment assets with the acquisition of MotoGP,” said Greg Maffei, Liberty Media President and CEO, upon the announcement.
“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.”
Ezpeleta added: “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.
“We are proud of the global sport we’ve grown, and this transaction is a testament to the value of the sport today and its growth potential.
“Liberty has an incredible track record in developing sports assets and we could not wish for a better partner to expand MotoGP’s fanbase around the world.”
(Karim Jaafar/AFP via Getty Images)
