After its success in recent years with Formula 1, Liberty Media decided to acquire the commercial rights to MotoGP, which until now were held by Dorna. The deal had been anticipated for several months, but was pending approval from the European Commission.
Liberty Media will take an 84% stake in Dorna Sports, while the remaining 14% will stay with the current MotoGP management. The aim of this agreement is to grow the world of two-wheel motorsport, much like what has been achieved in Formula 1 over the past seasons.
Since the launch of Drive to Survive, Formula 1 has entered a new golden age, reaching unprecedented levels of popularity. This explains the high volume of requests from circuits wanting to join the calendar in future seasons, which has forced Stefano Domenicali and Liberty Media to drop some historic venues, such as Imola.
Statements from the involved parties
“The approval received today from the European Commission represents the final condition for closing Liberty Media’s acquisition of MotoGP. We are excited to begin this new partnership. MotoGP is a very attractive sports property with incredible racing, passionate fans, and strong cash flow characteristics. We believe the sport has significant growth potential, and we aim to realize that by deepening engagement with core fans and expanding the overall audience,” said Derek Chang, President and CEO of Liberty Media.
“We are pleased that the European Commission has approved the transaction. This is a major milestone that confirms MotoGP’s bright future. We look forward to accelerating the growth of the sport and expanding our fan base as much as possible. Liberty is the best possible partner for MotoGP, and we are thrilled to create value for everyone involved in the sport,” said Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports.
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