Liberty Media has obtained unconditional approval from the European Fee to finish its acquisition of MotoGP rights holder Dorna Sports activities, with the deal now anticipated to shut no later than July 3, 2025.
The ruling follows an ‘in-depth investigation’ by the Fee to evaluate whether or not the transaction would scale back competitors within the licensing of broadcasting rights for sports activities content material.
Finally, the Fee concluded that the merger wouldn’t elevate competitors issues within the European Financial Space.
The ultimate regulatory inexperienced gentle paves the best way for the homeowners of System 1 to start a brand new chapter within the historical past of MotoGP.
Liberty will purchase 84% of Dorna Sports activities, with the remaining 16% retained by current MotoGP administration.
Carmelo Ezpeleta, who has served as CEO of Dorna since 1998, will stay in control of MotoGP ‘alongside along with his administration crew’.
Nevertheless, members of Liberty Media’s board of administrators and administration crew, together with Chase Carey, director of Liberty Media and former CEO of System 1, and Sean Bratches, former Managing Director of Industrial Operations at System 1, will be a part of Ezpeleta and Enrique Aldama, Chief Working and Monetary Officer of Dorna, on Dorna’s board of administrators.
“At this time’s approval from the European Fee marks the ultimate situation to closing Liberty’s acquisition of MotoGP,” stated Derek Chang, President and CEO of Liberty Media. “We’re thrilled to formally begin Liberty’s partnership with Carmelo and his wonderful administration crew.
“MotoGP is a extremely engaging premium sports activities asset with unbelievable racing, a passionate fanbase and a powerful money movement profile. We imagine the game and model have important progress potential, which we’ll look to grasp via deepening the reference to the core fan base and increasing to a wider international viewers.”
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Ezpeleta welcomed the EU choice and stated Liberty Media’s arrival marks a pivotal step in MotoGP’s evolution.
“We’re very completely satisfied that the European Fee has authorized the transaction,” stated Ezpeleta. “This is a crucial milestone confirming the even brighter future that lies forward for MotoGP.
“MotoGP is among the most thrilling sports activities on Earth, and we sit up for accelerating the game’s progress and increasing its attain to much more followers all over the world.
“Liberty is the very best companion for our sport and your entire MotoGP group, and we’re excited to create even better worth for our followers, business companions and everybody competing.”
The deal values MotoGP at €4.2 billion and positions Liberty Media to duplicate its commercially profitable transformation of System 1, which has seen international curiosity surge since its 2017 takeover.
Additional particulars on Liberty’s plans for MotoGP are anticipated to observe as soon as the deal formally closes in early July.
