Liberty Media Expands Its Empire with $4.5 Billion MotoGP Acquisition

Liberty Media, Owner of F1, Acquires MotoGP Rights Holder Dorna Sports in $4.5 Billion Transaction

Liberty Media, a media company known for its ownership of Formula One (F1), has made a strategic move into the world of motorsports by acquiring Dorna Sports, the company that holds the rights to the MotoGP World Championship. The deal is valued at $4.5 billion and will give Liberty an 86% stake in MotoGP, while the current management will retain a 14% share.

The acquisition of Dorna Sports highlights Liberty Media’s commitment to expanding its presence in the world of motorsports and leveraging the opportunities in this exciting industry. As CEO Greg Maffei stated, “We see a lot of potential for growth in MotoGP and are committed to expanding its reach for the benefit of fans, teams, commercial partners, and shareholders.”

MotoGP, a motorcycle racing franchise that has been around since 1949, is set to host 21 races across 17 countries this year. With Liberty Media’s acquisition of Dorna Sports, fans can expect more exciting races and greater coverage of this beloved sport.

Interestingly, Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway also has a stake in Liberty Media. Berkshire Hathaway holds over 7 million Series C Formula One shares, showing its confidence in Liberty Media’s prospects in the motorsports industry.

As of Monday, Liberty Media’s Series C Formula One shares were trading slightly lower at $65 but have seen a 4.3% increase in value since the beginning of 2024. This strategic move by Liberty Media underscores its commitment to expanding its presence in the world of motorsports and capitalizing on this growing industry.

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