The company’s headquarters remain in Madrid. Liberty Media will acquire 86 percent of Dorna. Dorna management retains 14 percent of its equity in the company. The transaction price corresponded to an enterprise value of 4.2 billion euros. “We are pleased to expand our portfolio of leading live sports and entertainment properties with the acquisition of MotoGP,” said Greg Maffei, President and CEO of Liberty Media.
What will change?
Similar to Formula 1, the racing series should be broader, i.e. more global. “MotoGP is a global series with a loyal and enthusiastic fan base. It offers fascinating racing with a financial profile that generates high cash flow. We want to continue to grow the sport.”
Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta speaks of a “next step” in the development of MotoGP. Dorna’s dominance meant that MotoGP, with its three racing series, became a Spanish-dominated affair with Italian participation. Now other nations could also play an important role.
Do we need stars?
Liberty Media caused a boom in Formula 1, especially in the USA, with a Netflix series. Something similar could be done with MotoGP, which recently lost its most famous face in Valentino Rossi. It’s about idols who are idolized and act as merchandising drivers. The current double world champion Francesco Bagnaia is (still) no more a bright man than his challenger Jorge Martin. Series world champion Marc Márquez is no longer the well-known dominator after a serious accident in Jerez.