After transforming Formula 1 into a powerhouse since taking over in 2017, Liberty Media is showing no signs of limiting its influence in the motorsport landscape. The U.S. company, led by Greg Maffei, has once again secured the top spot in Forbes’ special ranking of the most valuable sports empires, with a staggering figure of 18.22 billion dollars.
Spanish sources now report that Liberty also intends to acquire Dorna Sports, the holder of commercial rights for MotoGP since 1992, led by Carmelo Ezpeleta. In recent months, Ezpeleta had already outlined plans with Stefano Domenicali regarding the possibility of hosting Formula 1 and MotoGP weekends simultaneously. The recent rumors confirm the mutual willingness of both parties to collaborate in the near future.
Liberty Media Aims for MotoGP
The recent financial reports show the significant efforts made by the U.S. consortium to revitalize the premier class of motorsport after the disappointing Ecclestone era. This includes off-track activities such as the Netflix series “Drive To Survive” and expansion into the American market, with the calendar featuring three Grand Prix events in the USA from 2023.
According to the latest financial reports, the current revenue amounts to 4.50 billion dollars. In 2022, the company generated revenue of 2.24 billion dollars, demonstrating an upward trend compared to the 2.13 billion dollars in 2021.
As reported by the Spanish economic outlet Expansión, Ezpeleta would not consider offers below 4 billion dollars. Liberty is reportedly attempting to acquire the company from Bridgepoint, its majority shareholder since 2006.
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For now, Dorna is not officially on the market, and Liberty faces competition from other giants like Amazon, Disney, Netflix, and investment funds CVC and KKR.
“I confirm the sales rumors, but I would like to know who is spreading them,” Ezpeleta stated to La Repubblica earlier this year. “Every day, I receive two or three calls from credit institutions asking if it’s true that we are for sale. Banks don’t want to buy; they only offer themselves as intermediaries for the operation.”
“I can only say that we are ready. We stayed with our initial investors from 1998 to 2006: 8 years. Then came Bridgepoint, which made some changes, and another 17 have passed.”
“Currently, about 20% of Dorna is owned by the employees, and I have the majority. 39% is owned by Bridgepoint, and 38% by a Canadian public fund. Anything can happen at any time, but it hasn’t happened yet. Certainly, the product is popular, and the format works with the Sprints.”
“Dorna is a very interesting company, and there are always speculations about various parties interested in acquiring it,” commented Bridgepoint, while Liberty Media has not yet provided any comments on the matter.
Source: f1ingenerale
