Motor racing-F1 owner Liberty Media set to take over MotoGP, Sky reports

Liberty Media

31/03/2024 19:31

LONDON, March 31 (Reuters) - Formula One's U.S.-based
owner Liberty Media  FWONA.O  is expected to announce a takeover
of MotoGP's parent company within days and for more than 4
billion euros ($4.32 billion), Sky News reported on Sunday.
    The broadcaster said Liberty chief executive Greg Maffei
could confirm the deal as early as Monday during a trip to
Madrid.
    Liberty and MotoGP's Spanish-based commercial rights holder
Dorna Sports, which is roughly 40% owned by British private
investment company Bridgepoint Group, could not be reached
immediately for comment.
    The Financial Times reported last week that Liberty, chaired
by telecoms billionaire John Malone, was in exclusive talks with
 Bridgepoint to buy Dorna and unite the four and two wheel
series.
    Dorna, under long-serving chief executive Carmelo Ezpeleta,
also promotes the World Superbike Championship and all-electric
MotoE.
    The takeover could attract regulatory scrutiny. CVC Capital
Partners, who sold Formula One to Liberty in 2017, were cleared 
by the European Commission to buy F1 in 2006 on condition they
sold Dorna.
    Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) bought a 39%
stake in Dorna from Bridgepoint in 2012. The remaining shares
are owned by Dorna management.
    ($1 = 0.9267 euros)

 (Reporting by Alan Baldwin, Editing by Louise Heavens)
 ((alan.baldwin@thomsonreuters.com; +442075427933;))