Liberty Media Acquires MotoGP

Liberty Media has clinched a deal to acquire Dorna Sports, the exclusive commercial rights holder to the MotoGP World Championship.

Valued at €4.2 billion ($4.5 billion), the motorcycle racing tournament is being acquired from Bridgepoint and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board. It will continue to be overseen by Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna since 1994. Liberty Media will acquire 86 percent of MotoGP, with MotoGP management retaining 14 percent. The deal is expected to be complete by year-end.

“We are thrilled to expand our portfolio of leading live sports and entertainment assets with the acquisition of MotoGP,” said Greg Maffei, Liberty Media’s president and CEO. “MotoGP is a global league with a loyal, enthusiastic fan base, captivating racing and a highly cash flow generative financial profile. 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.”

“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,” said Ezpeleta. “We are proud of the global sport we’ve grown, and this transaction is a testament to the value of the sport today and its growth potential. 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.”