The European Union is on the verge of greenlighting Liberty Media’s colossal acquisition of Dorna Sports, the powerhouse behind MotoGP. With a jaw-dropping €4.2 billion deal on the table, the European Commission is slated to give its nod to Liberty Media in the upcoming weeks, as reported by Reuters.
This milestone move comes after Liberty Media, the parent company of Formula 1, unveiled its intentions to snap up an 86% majority stake in Dorna back in April last year. The remaining 14% stake will be retained by the Spanish company. Given Liberty Media’s ownership of Formula 1 since 2017, regulatory authorities have had their eyes keenly set on this acquisition.
In a surprising twist, the European Commission is anticipated to clear the sale without imposing any conditions, signaling a shift from past scrutiny faced by similar transactions. Back in 2006, CVC Capital Partners was compelled to offload MotoGP when seeking to add Formula 1 to its portfolio.
Dorna Sports, led by Carmelo Ezpeleta and headquartered in Madrid, has been at the helm of MotoGP and various other esteemed motorcycle championships since 1992. A Liberty Media spokesperson emphasized the American conglomerate’s strategic outlook for MotoGP, highlighting the vast opportunities in the ever-expanding realm of audiovisual entertainment beyond traditional sports. The spokesperson expressed confidence that the acquisition would bolster MotoGP’s competitive edge in this dynamic market.
As the European Commission gears up for a pivotal decision by 1 July, the potential approval of Liberty Media’s acquisition of Dorna Sports sets the stage for a groundbreaking chapter in the realm of motorsports.
