Motor-racing deal faces quick antitrust pitstop

Liberty Media

11/04/2024 10:53

(The author is a Reuters Breakingviews columnist.  The opinions
expressed are his own.)
    By Streisand  Neto
       LONDON, April 11 (Reuters Breakingviews) - F1 owner
Liberty Media is doubling down on sports broadcasting rights
with its $4.5 bln buy of MotoGP’s parent. CVC’s 2006 attempt to
own both racing series got an EU antitrust black flag. The rise
of streaming channels means mogul John Malone will have an
easier ride this time.
    Full view will be published shortly.
    Follow @NetoStreisand on X
    
    CONTEXT NEWS
    Formula One’s (F1) U.S.-based owner Liberty Media announced
on April 1 it had agreed to take over MotoGP’s parent company
Dorna Sports, valuing the world’s leading motorcycle racing
championship at 4.2 billion euros ($4.53 billion) including
debt.
    The deal is expected to be completed by the end of 2024,
pending regulatory clearance.
    Dorna Sports, which was roughly 40% owned by British private
investment company Bridgepoint, also promotes the Superbike
World Championship and all-electric MotoE racing circuit as well
as the Moto2 and Moto3 junior categories.

 (Editing by Lisa Jucca and Oliver Taslic)
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