Liberty Media among bidders for €4bn MotoGP acquisition
Reports from Sky News indicate that Liberty Media, the owner of Formula 1, is one of several potential bidders eyeing a €4 billion (US$4.3 billion) acquisition of MotoGP’s commercial rights holder.
Bridgepoint, which currently holds approximately 40 percent of MotoGP’s parent company Dorna, is reportedly engaged in advanced discussions with multiple interested buyers.
Alongside Bridgepoint, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) holds a smaller stake, while the remaining shares belong to Dorna’s management.
While Liberty Media appears to be the leading contender, competition for the acquisition is fierce, and the final price may differ from the targeted €4 billion.
Bridgepoint originally acquired MotoGP’s parent company from CVC Capital Partners in 2006 for about €500 million (US$543 million). Later, Bridgepoint sold a portion of its stake to CPPIB. If Liberty Media secures the bid, potential concerns may arise regarding competition probes, reminiscent of similar scrutiny faced during its acquisition of Formula One from CVC Capital Partners in 2016, a deal valued at US$8 billion.
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The best motorsport on earth! 😎 #MotoGP returns in Lusail for the biggest season ever! 💯 #QatarGP 🇶🇦 pic.twitter.com/mQ5ni69mxc
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) March 3, 2024
Liberty Media’s plans for expanding MotoGP in the United States align with its strategies for Formula 1, as evidenced by the recent addition of US-based team Trackhouse Racing to the series lineup.
In parallel, reports from the Sports Business Journal suggest that Warner Bros Discovery is in advanced negotiations to obtain MotoGP’s US media rights, currently held by NBC since 2020. Should these discussions reach fruition, MotoGP’s broadcasting landscape in the US could see significant changes this season.
Spanish newspaper Expansión has disclosed additional contenders for MotoGP’s commercial rights, including tech giants Amazon and Netflix, along with entertainment conglomerate Disney.
Image credit: Adrian Saxton
