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MotoGP is the most important motorsport series on two wheels
Photo: Patricia de Melo Moreira / AFP
Formula 1 owner Liberty Media is also taking over MotoGP. As the US company announced on Monday, the purchase price for the agreement amounts to around 4.2 billion US dollars. That's the equivalent of around 3.9 billion euros for hosting the motorcycle world championship.
Liberty Media, which has also held the rights to Formula 1 since 2016, is taking over 86 percent of the shares of Dorna, a Spanish company that has held the Moto GP rights since 1992. The remaining 14 percent remain with the current Moto GP management. Carmelo Ezpeleta remains the managing director.
Possible monopoly still to be examined
The acquisition is expected to be completed by the end of this year. This means that Liberty Media then owns the rights to the most important racing series on four and two wheels. According to the information, the deal still has to be approved by various competition authorities. It is questionable how the EU antitrust watchdogs will assess the deal in view of a possible monopoly position.
“We are thrilled to expand our portfolio of leading live sports and entertainment offerings with the acquisition of MotoGP,” said Liberty Media Managing Director Greg Maffei. "MotoGP is a global league with a loyal, enthusiastic fan base, captivating races and a financial profile that generates high cash flow." MotoGP has "significant potential" and they want to further develop the racing series.
Even before the planned takeover, there was speculation as to the extent to which MotoGP and Formula 1 could even work together in the future.
cev/dpa