According to a Bloomberg News report released this Thursday, the European Union is currently reviewing the acquisition of Dorna Sports, parent company of MotoGP, by Liberty Media for an amount of 3.5 billion euros (approximately 3.67 billion dollars ).
This operation, announced earlier this year, values Dorna at 4.2 billion euros, taking into account the 14% stake that will remain in the hands of Dorna's management. The European authorities, led since December 1, 2024 by Teresa Ribera on competition issues, fear that this merger could limit competition in the areas of television broadcasting and streaming platforms.
An in-depth phase 2 investigation could therefore be launched before the current deadline of December 19although that decision is still being worked out and could evolve, according to people familiar with the EU investigation who spoke on condition of anonymity. The possible rapprochement between the two major disciplines of motor sports therefore continues to raise questions about its economic and sporting impacts, as well as the media landscape of the sector.
Liberty Media, already the owner of Formula 1 since 2016 after a purchase from CVC Capital Partners for $4.4 billion, recently restructured its assets to focus more on motorsport. This strategy is part of the president's new approach John Malonewho has diversified the company's activities into media, communications and entertainment, but has just reinstated the former F1 boss until 2020, Chase
Careyto the board of directors in order to assist
Stefano Domenicalithe current CEO of the championship.
This appointment follows the ouster of Greg
Maffei last month, following a disagreement between the owner John Malone and the manager
Greg Maffeimainly on the subject of welcoming the Andretti team to the F1 starting grid.
EU in-depth investigations usually add around 90 working days to the initial datebut may last longer, which would postpone the final decision once the 2025 MotoGP season is well underway.
We see it, we will already know more next week, but the sands remain quite shifting in this context…
