MotoGP: Liberty Media, owner of Formula 1, in talks to acquire Dorna Sports for €4bn (press)

Liberty Media, a US communications, media and entertainment group that has owned Formula One Group since 2017, has entered "exclusive talks" to acquire Dorna Sports, the company that holds the commercial rights to MotoGP, for €4bn, according to the Financial Times on 27/03/2024.

The deal could be made official ahead of the US Grand Prix in Austin (Texas) on 12-14/04/2024. "L'Équipe is able to confirm that QSI (Qatar Sports Investments), the current owner of Paris Saint-Germain (Ligue 1 Uber Eats), is also interested in the takeover," said the sports media group on 28/03/2024. Dorna Sports has also reportedly ruled out an offer from TKO, a joint venture combining the activities of the UFC and WWE created in April 2023.

British investment fund Bridgepoint acquired Dorna Sports, the promoter of MotoGP as well as WorldSBK and MotoE, for between €500m and €550m in 2006, before selling a 38% stake to Canadian institutional investment fund CPPIB in 2012. Bridgepoint now holds around 40% of Dorna Sports, according to specialised media reports. The remaining 22% is divided between Carmelo…