Formula 1's owner Liberty Media has announced a takeover of MotoGP's parent company Dorna.
Liberty Media bought F1 from CVC Capital Partners in 2017, a deal which saw Bernie Ecclestone removed as chief executive of Formula One Group, and is now taking over motorbikes premier series, MotoGP.
The acquisition is expected to be completed by the end of 2024, subject to clearances and approvals by law authorities.
Liberty Media will acquire approximately 86 per cent of Dorna, with Dorna management retaining approximately 14 per cent of their equity.
The transaction reflects an enterprise value of 4.2 billion euros (£3.6bn) for Dorna/MotoGP and an equity value of 3.5 billion euros (£3bn).
"Moto GP is a global league with a loyal, enthusiastic fan base, captivating racing and a highly cash flow generative financial profile," said Liberty Media president and CEO Greg Maffei.
"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."
Dorna will stay an independently run company attributed to Liberty Media's Formula One Group tracking stock and continue to be based in Madrid, with long-serving Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta remaining in his position.
"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," Ezpeleta said.
Dorna Sports, which was roughly 40 per cent owned by British private investment company Bridgepoint Group, also promotes the World Superbike Championship and all-electric MotoE.
The deal has been on the cards for weeks, with Sky News revealing in March that Liberty were in talks to buy Dorna Sports
Uniting MotoGP and F1 under common ownership would provide Liberty Media with the opportunity to extract financial and commercial synergies.
Sky Sports F1's live Japanese GP schedule
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Thursday April 4
4.30am: Drivers' press conference
Friday April 5
3am: Japanese GP Practice One (session starts at 3.30am)*
6.45am: Japanese GP Practice Two (session starts at 7am)*
8.15am: The F1 Show*
10am: Japanese GP Practice One replay
11.30am: Japanese GP Practice Two replay
Saturday April 6
3.15am: Japanese GP Practice Three (session starts at 3.30am)*
6am: Japanese GP Qualifying build-up*
7am: Japanese GP Qualifying*
9am: Ted's Qualifying Notebook*
9.30am: Japanese GP Qualifying replay
Sunday April 7
5am: Grand Prix Sunday Japanese GP build-up*
6am: The JAPANESE GRAND PRIX*
8am: Chequered Flag: Japanese GP reaction*
9am: Ted's Notebook*
9.30am: Japanese Grand Prix highlights*
10.30am: Japanese Grand Prix replay
*also live on Sky Sports Main Event
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FAQs
Formula One's United States-based owner Liberty Media have announced a takeover of MotoGP's parent company Dorna, valuing the world's leading motorcycle racing championship at €4.2 billion ($4.53bn), MotoGP said in a statement on Monday.
Did Dorna get sold to Liberty Media? ›
Bridgepoint, a listed private asset growth investor, has sold its investment in Dorna Sports, which holds the global rights to organise the MotoGP and WSBK Championships, to Liberty Media, in a transaction which values the company at €4.2bn.
Did Liberty Media take over MotoGP? ›
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.” Liberty Media will acquire 86% of MotoGP with MotoGP management retaining approximately 14% of their equity in the business.
Did Liberty buy Dorna? ›
Liberty Media, the US media giant and owner of motor racing's Formula 1 (F1), on Monday (April 1) confirmed its acquisition of Dorna Sports, the commercial rights-holder and organizer of motorcycling's premier MotoGP series, for a deal valued at €4.2 billion ($4.5 billion).
Who is Dorna in MotoGP? ›
Founded in 1988, DornaSports became organiser of the Championship now known as FIM World Championship Grand Prix (MotoGP™) in 1991 and has been the exclusive commercial and television rights holder since then.
Who owns Liberty now? ›
Department store Liberty is to come under new ownership in a deal valuing the business at £300 million. Private equity firm Bluegem confirmed on Friday that it would sell its roughly 40% stake in the company to a group led by Glendower Capital.
Who is the new owner of MotoGP? ›
With the deal made public, F1 owner Liberty Media will now own 86 per cent of Dorna and thus holds the controlling stake in motorcycle racing's two biggest international products. The other 14 per cent remains with senior Dorna management. The Spanish company had owned MotoGP's rights since 1992 and the famous 500 era.
Who owns Dorna? ›
Formula One owner Liberty Media has agreed to acquire Dorna Sports, the exclusive commercial rights holder to the MotoGP World Championship. Liberty Media has acquired Dorna Sports from investment group Bridgepoint and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board.
Who bought out MotoGP? ›
Formula One owner Liberty Media has purchased MotoGP in a deal worth an enterprise value of €4.2 billion (US$4.5 billion).
Did Liberty buy out Schlumberger? ›
Liberty Oilfield Services Inc. on Monday closed on its purchase of a competitor in a $448 million deal that makes the company the third-largest North American hydraulic fracturing business. Denver-based Liberty Oilfield (NYSE: LBRT) acquired the OneStim division of Houston-based oilfield giant Schlumberger Ltd.
of MotoGP's owners, the Spanish Group Dorna Sports, was acquired by Liberty Media for around $7 billion.
Who is the owner of the Liberty? ›
CHAIRMAN, LIBERTY GROUP
Adesh is the middle son of Late Shri Purushottam Das Gupta, a visionary legend and Founder of Liberty Group besides being a renowned and respected industrialist. Born into a family of freedom fighters, he dedicated his life towards footwear industry and the welfare of the needy.
How much did Liberty Media pay for MotoGP? ›
Both investors are now exiting after Liberty agreed to pay a reported €4.2 billion (US$4.5 billion) to acquire approximately 86 per cent of the shares in Dorna, which will retain around 14 per cent of equity in the business.
What is the turnover of Dorna? ›
In 2022, the last year with a trace in the Companies Register, Dorna Sports generated a turnover of €474.8 million, which was 33% more than the previous year (2021), which left a loss of €7.8m, as a result of the echoes of the pandemic.
Is Dorna selling MotoGP? ›
Formula One's United States-based owner Liberty Media have announced a takeover of MotoGP's parent company Dorna, valuing the world's leading motorcycle racing championship at €4.2 billion ($4.53bn), MotoGP said in a statement on Monday.
What brands does Liberty Media own? ›
Liberty Media Corporation, commonly referred to as Liberty Media or just Liberty, is an American mass media company founded by John C. Malone in 1991. The company has three divisions, reflecting its ownership stakes in Formula One Group, Sirius XM, Live Nation Entertainment, and by the end of 2024, Dorna Sports.
Who is the CEO of Liberty Media? ›
Greg Maffei (born May 24, 1960) is an American businessman. He is the president and chief executive officer of Liberty Media and the chairman of Live Nation Entertainment, Sirius XM and TripAdvisor. He is the chairman emeritus of Starz and Expedia, as well as the former chief financial officer of Oracle and Microsoft.
Does AT&T own Liberty Media? ›
AT&T acquired Liberty last year as part of its purchase of Tele-Communications Inc. "There are some potential benefits to Liberty," chief executive Robert Bennett said during a conference call with Wall Street analysts Wednesday.
Who is the CEO of Liberty Mobile? ›
Mr. Diaz Corona will join the Executive Team reporting to Balan Nair, Liberty Latin America's President and CEO. Mr.
