Liberty Media, which owns the commercial rights to Formula 1, has acquired 86% of the capital of Dorna, the promoter of the world speed championships, including MotoGP, and Superbikes, for 3.5 billion euros, it was announced on Monday.
In a statement, the Spanish company Dorna, which owns the commercial and television rights to the MotoGP championships [in which Portuguese rider Miguel Oliveira competes], Moto2, Moto3 and MotoE, Superbikes and the Women's World Championship, explains that it will retain around 14% of the company's capital, valued at 4.2 billion euros, which "will continue to be based in Madrid" and with Carmelo Ezpeleta as CEO, as has been the case since 1994.
"We are pleased to expand our range of sports and entertainment with the acquisition of MotoGP," said Greg Maffei, president and CEO of Liberty Media, quoted in the Dorna statement. He also stressed that "MotoGP is a championship with a loyal and enthusiastic fan base, captivating racing and revenue generation".
"Carmelo and his management have built a great sporting spectacle that we will be able to expand to a more global audience. The business has ample room for growth and we intend to grow MotoGP for fans, teams and commercial partners," said Greg Maffei.
Dorna, which has held the rights to the World Speedway since 1991, will become part of the Liberty Media portfolio, but will remain an independently operating company.
"This is the perfect next step for the evolution of MotoGP and we are very pleased with what this brings for Dorna, the MotoGP paddock and the fans," said Carmelo Ezpeleta.
The two companies expect the deal to be completed by the end of 2024.
According to the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, Liberty Media is analyzing the idea. The plan is to create a sort of "SuperBowl on wheels", in a union of the company's new "brothers" - a joint event called Super GP, taking place on the same circuit, on the same weekend. However, there are obstacles, particularly in terms of circuit infrastructure.
