Formula 1 owner Liberty Media has acquired MotoGP in a deal worth up to €4.2 billion (£3.6 billion).

The American mass media company has bought the motorbike series from Spanish company Dorna Sports which has owned MotoGP since 1992. Liberty Media has been in control of F1 since 2017 after purchasing the commercial rights from investment group CVC Capital Partners.

The deal will see Liberty Media acquire around 86% of Dorna, with Dorna's Carmelo Ezpeleta, who has been CEO since 1994, remaining in his position and continuing to run the business with his management team.

“We are thrilled to expand our portfolio of leading live sports and entertainment assets with the acquisition of MotoGP,” said Greg Maffei, Liberty Media President and CEO. “MotoGP is a global league with a loyal, enthusiastic fan base, captivating racing and a highly cash flow generative financial profile. Carmelo and his management team have built a great sporting spectacle that we can expand to a wider global audience. The business has significant upside, and we intend to grow the sport for MotoGP fans, teams, commercial partners and our shareholders.”

“This is the perfect next step in the evolution of MotoGP, and we are excited for what this milestone brings to Dorna, the MotoGP paddock and racing fans,” said Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna. “We are proud of the global sport we’ve grown, and this transaction is a testament to the value of the sport today and its growth potential. Liberty Media has an incredible track record in developing sports assets and we could not wish for a better partner to expand MotoGP’s fanbase around the world.”

Jorge Martin of Prima Pramac Racing currently leads this season’s MotoGP championship after two races.

words: Mike Booth
pictures: Red Bull