Formula 1 Owner Liberty Media Gets Approval to Acquire MotoGP Series

Liberty Media Corporation, the American company that owns Formula 1, has received unconditional approval today from the European Commission to complete its acquisition of MotoGP with the deal expected to close by July 3.

Liberty Media will acquire 84% of MotoGP rights holder Dorna Sports with MotoGP management retaining 16% of the business. Dorna would remain an independently operated company run by Carmelo Ezpeleta, the series’ chief executive since 1994. Ezpeleta will continue to run MotoGP along with his management team.

“MotoGP is a highly attractive premium sports asset with incredible racing, a passionate fanbase and a strong cash flow profile,” said Derek Chang, Liberty Media president and chief executive officer. “We believe the sport and brand have significant growth potential, which we will look to realize through deepening the connection with the core fan base and expanding to a wider global audience.”

Liberty took over Formula 1 in 2017 and oversaw its growth in recent years. MotoGP is running a 22-race calendar this year. It includes events in markets where F1 has either never raced, like Indonesia, the Czech Republic and Thailand, or hasn’t raced in years, like Argentina and Malaysia. Four of the MotoGP races are in Spain, with only one in the U.S., at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas in March. The Circuit of the Americas is one of five tracks which host both F1 and MotoGP this year.

Dorna also holds rights to other racing series, including MotoG feeder series Moto2 and Moto3, the FIM Enel MotoE World Championship, the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship and the FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship.

“We are very happy that the European Commission has approved the transaction,” said Carmelo Ezpeleta, chief executive officer of MotoGP rights holder Dorna Sports. “MotoGP is one of the most thrilling sports on Earth and we look forward to accelerating the sport’s growth and expanding its reach to even more fans around the world. Liberty is the best possible partner for our sport and the entire MotoGP community and we are excited to create even greater value for our fans, commercial partners and everyone competing.”