Liberty Media, owner of Formula 1, has completed the acquisition of MotoGP’s parent company, Dorna Sports, according to an announcement made on Monday. The $4 billion purchase gives Liberty commercial control over MotoGP and World Superbikes. Liberty will now hold 86% of the shares in the Spanish company, while the remaining 14% will remain with MotoGP management. Previously, Bridgepoint, a Canadian fund, owned 40% of Dorna Sports, while the Canadian pension fund (CPPIB) held 38%. The remaining 22% was divided among various Dorna executives, with CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta owning 10%. Under the new agreement, Dorna will continue to operate independently under Liberty’s umbrella, with Ezpeleta remaining as CEO and operations continuing in Madrid, Spain.
Previous reports suggested that the deal would be finalized before the start of the 2024 season in Qatar. However, concerns about potential intervention from the European Commission, the competition regulator, caused delays. The Financial Times had previously indicated that the deal could face regulatory scrutiny.
CVC Capital Partners, a private equity firm, previously owned both Formula 1 and MotoGP. However, in 2006, they were required to sell the motorcycle series as a condition for acquiring Formula 1, due to concerns raised by the European Union competition regulators.
In 2022, Dorna Sports reported a 33% increase in revenue, generating €474.8 million. However, the year ended with a loss of €7.8 million due to the impact of the pandemic. In early 2022, the Madrid-based company refinanced €975 million in debt, strengthening its liquidity and enabling the distribution of €390 million in dividends to its shareholders. (Source: Autosport)
“We are thrilled to expand our collection of premier sports and entertainment assets through the acquisition of MotoGP,” said Greg Maffei, President and CEO of Liberty Media.
MotoGP is an international league with a dedicated and passionate fan base, captivating races, and a financially lucrative profile.
Carmelo and his team have created a remarkable sports spectacle that we can expand to a broader global audience.
The business has significant growth potential, and our intention is to expand the sport for MotoGP fans, teams, commercial partners, and shareholders.
“This represents the perfect progression for MotoGP, and we are excited about the opportunities it brings to Dorna, the MotoGP community, and racing enthusiasts,” added Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna.
We are proud of the global sport we have built, and this transaction demonstrates the current value and future growth potential of the sport.
Liberty has a remarkable track record in developing sports assets, and we could not ask for a better partner to expand the MotoGP fan base globally.
After making Formula 1 profitable as owners, Liberty Media aims to replicate this business model with MotoGP, WorldSBK, and MotoE.
Liberty took over Formula 1 in 2017, and since then, the sport’s popularity and the value of its teams have grown hand in hand.
It is evident that Liberty will strive to achieve the same level of success with their new venture in two-wheeled racing.
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Soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo is in advanced negotiations to return to his former club, Manchester United. According to reliable sources, the Portuguese player is eager to return to the team that launched him to stardom.
Ronaldo, 39, is currently at the Italian club Juventus, but his time with the team has not been as successful as expected. With the desire to seek new challenges, the star has decided it is time to return to Manchester United, where he experienced great moments in his career.
The negotiation between the player and the English club is ongoing and is expected to be concluded in the coming days. Ronaldo has already expressed his desire to wear the Manchester United shirt again and the club’s management is working to make it happen.
The possible return of Cristiano Ronaldo to Manchester United has generated great excitement among fans of the club and the player. If the negotiation is finalized, the Portuguese forward will join an already talented team, which includes players like Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford.
Furthermore, Ronaldo’s return would be a boost for Manchester United in their pursuit of titles. The club has not won the Premier League since the 2012/2013 season and hopes that the presence of the Portuguese star can help change that reality.
The financial details of the negotiation are not yet known, but it is speculated that Manchester United is willing to make a significant investment to bring Ronaldo back. The player is one of the highest-paid in the world and his signing will certainly not be cheap.
While we await the official confirmation of the transfer, Manchester United fans are already eager to see Cristiano Ronaldo back at Old Trafford. It will be an emotional reunion and a new opportunity for the player to shine at the club that launched him to stardom.
