KUALA LUMPUR – Formula One’s (F1) Liberty Media has sealed a deal to acquire MotoGP today, worth approximately US$4.5 billion (RM21.3 billion), the American company confirmed.
In a statement today, MotoGP disclosed that Liberty Media will acquire an approximately 86% stake from Dorna, its Spain-based owners, valued at €4.2 billion (RM21.4 billion).
Pending regulatory approvals, the acquisition is slated for completion by the end of 2024.
This move makes Liberty the latest company to own both F1 and MotoGP, following private equity firm CVC Capital Partners.
“We are excited to broaden our sports and entertainment assets with the MotoGP acquisition,” stated Greg Maffei, president and CEO of Liberty Media.
MotoGP’s long-serving CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta who will continue in his role, headquartered in Madrid, expressed enthusiasm for MotoGP’s global expansion under Liberty’s ownership.
Liberty Media outpaced other contenders, including Qatar Sports Investment and TKO Group Holdings, in securing the acquisition.
Since Liberty acquired F1 in 2017 for US$8 billion, the sport has experienced a surge in popularity, with its value now estimated to exceed US$20 billion, according to Maffei’s remarks last year. – April 1, 2024