Liberty Media to get unconditional EU approval for MotoGP deal sources say

BRUSSELS – Liberty Media, which owns Formula One, is set to secure unconditional European Union (EU) antitrust approval for its €3.5-billion (S$5.21 billion) acquisition of MotoGP owner Dorna Sports, people with direct knowledge of the matter said.

Liberty Media announced the deal to buy 86 per cent of MotoGP in April 2024, with Dorna management keeping around 14 per cent of its equity, giving the deal an enterprise value of €4.2 billion for Dorna/MotoGP and an equity value of €3.5 billion.

The European Commission, which acts as the competition watchdog for the 27-country EU, is set to approve the deal through without demanding concessions, the people said.

The EU executive, which will decide on the deal by July 1, declined to comment.

Liberty Media said it was working constructively with the Commission.

“There is a very large and growing market for audiovisual entertainment well beyond sports, and the transaction will enhance MotoGP’s ability to compete in this highly competitive market,” a Liberty Media spokesperson said.

The EU antitrust enforcer had previously warned that the deal could push up prices for the licensing of broadcasting rights for motor sports events hosted by both companies.

Its investigation also focused on whether John Malone, Liberty Media’s and United States cable company Liberty Global’s largest shareholder, has decisive influence over both companies that may prompt Liberty Media to shut out rival broadcasters in Belgium, Ireland and the Netherlands, where Liberty Global is present.

The Capitol Forum was the first to report about the imminent unconditional EU clearance.

Since buying Formula One in 2016, Liberty Media has targeted key markets including the United States, attempted to grow the sport’s popularity through digital streaming and struck gold with the show Drive To Survive.

On the track, reigning MotoGP world champion Jorge Martin will return from injury