Liberty Media Gets EU Green Light For MotoGP Takeover

• Liberty Media to acquire 84% stake in MotoGP rights holder Dorna Sports
• European Commission clears deal, ruling no competition concerns
• MotoGP leadership to remain, with Liberty adding F1 veterans to board

Liberty Media, best known for its ownership of Formula 1, is expanding into motorcycle racing after receiving final approval to acquire a controlling interest in MotoGP.

The European Commission granted “unconditional” clearance for the deal, which will see Liberty purchase 84% of Dorna Sports, the Spain-based company that holds MotoGP’s commercial rights. The transaction values Dorna at €4.3 billion ($4.97 billion), according to Liberty.

“MotoGP is a highly attractive premium sports asset with incredible racing, a passionate fanbase and a strong cash flow profile,” said Liberty Media president and CEO Derek Chang. “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 first announced its intention to buy into MotoGP in April 2024. The deal is expected to close by July 3, following the conclusion of a European Commission investigation that began in December. Regulators examined whether the move might negatively affect competition in the market for motorsport broadcasting rights.

In its ruling, the commission found that Formula 1 and MotoGP are “not close competitors for the licensing of broadcasting rights for sports content” in domestic markets, and noted that broadcasters still have access to other sports with similarly large audiences.

As part of the agreement, MotoGP’s existing leadership will remain. Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta will continue in his role, and MotoGP management retains a minority stake. He will be joined on the Dorna board by Chase Carey and Sean Bratches, both of whom were instrumental in Liberty’s 2017 takeover of Formula 1.

Liberty’s arrival at F1 marked a major shift, ending Bernie Ecclestone’s long reign and installing a team that reshaped the series, especially in the United States. Under Liberty’s leadership, F1 embraced digital platforms, added high-profile races, and captured a new audience through the success of Netflix’s “Drive To Survive.”

MotoGP currently runs a 22-race calendar that reaches markets both familiar and new to F1. It includes races in Indonesia, Thailand, and the Czech Republic—locations F1 doesn’t currently serve—as well as stops in Argentina and Malaysia, where F1 has not competed in recent years.

This year, four MotoGP races take place in Spain, while the United States hosts just one—at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, which also features on the F1 schedule.