F1 News: Liberty Media Set To Make Major Announcement This Week

Sky News reports that Liberty Media CEO Greg Maffei is set to make a huge announcement in the coming days.

Apr 16, 2023; Austin, TX, USA; MotoGP racers climb the first hill during the start of the Red Bull / Dustin Safranek-USA TODAY Sports

Liberty Media, under the stewardship of CEO Greg Maffei, is set to announce the acquisition of Dorna Sports (the parent company of MotoGP) in the coming days, with the transaction value tipped to exceed €4 billion.

Key Takeaways:

• Greg Maffei of Liberty Media is set to announce a monumental deal to acquire Dorna Sports, worth more than €4 billion.
• The formal announcement of this significant acquisition is scheduled for early this week in Madrid, marking a historic moment in motorsport mergers.
• The transaction heralds a lucrative exit for Bridgepoint, which has been at the helm of Dorna Sports for 18 years, showcasing a remarkable return on investment.

Apr 16, 2023; Austin, TX, USA; Fans run to the grid to view victory celebrations during the finish / Dustin Safranek-USA TODAY Sports

Liberty Media, the commercial rights holder of Formula One, is anticipated to unveil a significant acquisition deal involving Dorna Sports, the entity behind MotoGP. This acquisition, which sources suggest could slightly exceed the initial €4 billion valuation, is expected to be announced by Greg Maffei during his visit to Madrid.

"The deal has been on the cards for weeks, with Sky News revealing earlier this month that Liberty was in talks to buy Dorna Sports for €4bn," the report from Sky News states.

The anticipation around this deal has been building with rumours circulating for several months. The speculation hinted at a price tag of approximately €4 billion, however, reports have begun to emerge stating insiders have hinted that the price tag might surpass the initial estimates.

The acquisition signifies a significant milestone for Bridgepoint, the London-listed private equity group that has nurtured MotoGP through various funds over an 18-year tenure. The sale to Liberty Media not only marks a shift in the ownership of MotoGP but also represents a substantial financial windfall for Bridgepoint. This move by Liberty Media is seen as an effort to replicate the success it has achieved with F1, particularly in expanding its global footprint and commercial appeal.