F1 News: Liberty Media Are Reported Frontrunners For £3.4 Billion MotoGP Purchase

Owners of Formula 1 look to reach the masses through MotoGP.

Bridgepoint, the largest shareholder in the parent company of MotoGP, Dorna, is seeking a valuation of up to €4bn (£3.4bn) and is negotiating with potential buyers. With competition arising from various other bidders, the frontrunner in the bid to acquire Dorna Sports is believed to be Liberty Media, owner of Formula 1, as per a report by Sky News.

Key Takeaways:

• Bridgepoint, the major shareholder in Dorna, the parent company of MotoGP, is seeking a valuation of up to €4bn (£3.4bn) and is negotiating with potential buyers. Liberty Media, owner of Formula 1, is reportedly the frontrunner in the bid to acquire Dorna, facing competition from other bidders.
• MotoGP has experienced international expansion and profitability growth under Bridgepoint's 18-year ownership, with Bridgepoint holding nearly 40% ownership of Dorna.
• Adding MotoGP alongside Formula 1 could potentially elevate both brands, leveraging Formula 1's success under Liberty Media since 2016. Other companies like Apple, Disney, and Netflix have shown interest in the Dorna acquisition, although unconfirmed. Bridgepoint and Liberty Media have not commented on the matter.

During its 18-year ownership under Bridgepoint, MotoGP has experienced international expansion, with its commercial revenues contributing to a significant rise in profitability. The entity holds nearly 40% ownership of Dorna, while the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) possesses a slightly smaller stake.

Combining the two greats of motorsports under one umbrella, the addition of the MotoGP brand alongside Formula 1 would most likely scale it to new heights, as witnessed by the track record of F1 over the past half-decade. 

In late 2016, Liberty Media purchased Formula 1 for just over $4 billion (£3bn) and significantly boosted its coverage and global footprint. Initiatives like Netflix's Drive to Survive series propelled the sport's expansion into North America and attracted previously untapped audiences worldwide. It's plausible that a similar strategy could be employed to promote MotoGP.

While the frontrunners competing against Liberty Media for the acquisition of Dorna remain undisclosed, recent reports from Spain's Expansion newspaper suggest that Apple, Disney, and Netflix have shown interest in the deal. However, as of Saturday, this interest remained unconfirmed. Bridgepoint chose not to provide any comments, and Liberty Media did not respond to requests for comments, as per the report.

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