The acquisition deal of Dorna Sports, promoter of MotoGP, by Liberty Media, the current owner of Formula 1, may soon be finalized, with the value of the transaction potentially exceeding four billion euros.
According to the Financial Times, a proposal from the sports and entertainment group TKO was rejected. Qatar Sports Investments also showed some interest. However, Liberty Media now seems poised to finalize the acquisition of Dorna Sports, currently owned by the investment fund Bridgepoint.
If confirmed, MotoGP and Formula 1 will once again have the same owner, as was the case when they were both under the control of CVC Capital Partners until the MotoGP was forced to sell in 2006 due to European Union competition regulations. Authorities are expected to scrutinize any agreement with Liberty Media intensely.
The deal appears to be imminent, with a value exceeding four billion euros, including debts. The announcement could be made as early as next week, after Easter. Liberty Media acquired Formula 1 in 2017, and since then, the premier motorsport category has experienced exponential growth. This success will now be sought to be replicated in MotoGP.