Liberty Media’s €4.2bn MotoGP takeover receives unconditional approval from European Commission

• MotoGP management to retain 16% of business
• Takeover had been hit with numerous delays after European Commission opened antitrust investigation
• Liberty confirms that Carmelo Ezpeleta will remain as CEO with his management team

Liberty Media’s takeover of Dorna Sports, commercial rights holder of MotoGP, will close imminently after it received unconditional approval by the European Commission. 

According to a release from MotoGP, the deal will now close no later than 3rd July 2025. Liberty will acquire 84 per cent of Dorna, with MotoGP management retaining 16 per cent of the business.

“Today’s approval from the European Commission marks the final condition to closing Liberty’s acquisition of MotoGP. We are thrilled to officially commence Liberty’s partnership with Carmelo and his excellent management team,” said Derek Chang, president and chief executive of Liberty Media.

“MotoGP is a highly attractive premium sports asset with incredible racing, a passionate fanbase and a strong cash flow profile. We believe the sport and brand have significant growth potential, which we will look to realise through deepening the connection with the core fan base and expanding to a wider global audience.”

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Originally, this deal was supposed to be finalised by the end of 2024, but regulatory red tape put paid to those hopes. Teresa Ribeira, the chief of the European Union’s (EU) antitrust department, opened a probe into the takeover in December 2024.

According to Bloomberg, she was concerned the acquisition could hamper competition in broadcasting and streaming markets, given Liberty Media also owns Formula One. This decision may have been influenced by a similar probe into CVC Capital Partners in 2006, when EU competition regulators decided the private equity firm had to sell one of MotoGP or Formula One.

But the modern age of motorsport presents a different proposition with sport increasingly crossing over into the world of entertainment, so it was always unlikely that owning both Formula One and MotoGP would be seen in the same anti-competitive light as it was previously.

Liberty Media has confirmed that Carmelo Ezpeleta, chief executive of Dorna since 1998, will continue to run the series alongside his management team.

“We are very happy that the European Commission has approved the transaction. This is an important milestone confirming the even brighter future that lies ahead for MotoGP,” said Ezpeleta.

“MotoGP is one of the most thrilling sports on Earth, and we look forward to accelerating the sport’s growth and expanding its reach to even more fans around the world. Liberty is the best possible partner for our sport and the entire MotoGP community, and we are excited to create even greater value for our fans, commercial partners and everyone competing.”