Formula 1 owner Liberty Media takes over MotoGP for billions | Sports Other

Liberty Media has owned Formula 1 since 2017. Under the company’s leadership, the premier class of motorsport has become more commercial and global. Liberty Media focused on social media and YouTube, among other things. There was also its own Netflix series (Drive to Survive) and streaming service (F1 TV).

This year a record number of 24 Grands Prix are on the calendar. The races in Las Vegas and Miami, among others, have been added to the schedule since the arrival of Liberty Media. The Grand Prix at the Zandvoort circuit has returned to Formula 1 since 2021.

The MotoGP is the most important class in motorsport. Dorna currently owns the commercial and broadcast rights. The company retains the remaining 14 percent of the shares. The Assen TT has been part of the World Championship road race since its introduction in 1949, which is now held under the name MotoGP.

“We are extremely pleased to expand our industry-leading portfolio of live sports and entertainment with MotoGP,” Liberty Media managing director Greg Maffei said in a statement on Monday. “MotoGP is a global brand with loyal and enthusiastic fans and compelling racing.”

Liberty Media sees the investment as an opportunity to make MotoGP even more popular worldwide. “We intend to grow the sport for the benefit of MotoGP fans, teams, commercial partners and our shareholders.”

Dorna sees the billion-dollar deal as confirmation that the sport has undergone major development in recent years. “Liberty Media has a great reputation for moving the sport forward. We couldn’t have imagined a better partner,” said Director Carmelo Ezpeleta. The acquisition is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

In Formula 1, three-time world champion Max Verstappen is the Dutch eye-catcher. There is no Dutch input in MotoGP. There are Dutch riders active in Moto2 and Moto3, the lighter classes to which Dorna also owns the rights. Zonta van den Goorbergh and Bo Bendsneyder ride in Moto2. Collin Veijer competes in Moto3.