It’s official: Liberty Media has indeed moved forward with the acquisition of MotoGP, which joins Formula 1 in the portfolio of sports under its ownership.
After days of rumors, the purchase was announced this Monday, with astronomical values. The American group acquires about 86 percent of Dorna, which holds the commercial and sporting rights of MotoGP. The transaction reflects an enterprise value of 4.2 billion euros and a net asset value of 3.5 billion euros.
Despite the announcement this Monday, the deal is expected to be finalized by the end of the year and is subject to approval by authorities from ‘various jurisdictions’, considering the relevant legislation.
In addition to MotoGP, Dorna oversees the Moto2, Moto3, and MotoE World Championships, as well as the World Superbike, Supersport, Supersport 300 Championships, and the Women’s Circuit World Championship created this year.
In 2017, Liberty Media acquired F1 and the former chief executive of the championship, Bernie Ecclestone, stepped down. The same does not happen in the case of MotoGP: Dorna Sports will maintain its independence and Carmelo Ezpeleta will continue, with his team, in the position of chief executive he has held since 1994.
