Green light from the EU: after Formula 1, Liberty also owns MotoGP

MotoGP and the other categories (Moto2, Moto3, Superbike and MotoE) will therefore pass under the banner of Liberty Media. The US giant headed by John Malone had acquired 84% of Dorna Sport last April. The ownership of the Spanish company was divided between the Canadian fund Bridgepoint, which acquired its stake in 2006 from CVC Capital Partners (40%), the Canadian pension fund CPPIB (38%) and the management (22%) of Dorna, with Carmelo Ezpeleta at 10% (Ezpeleta who should remain CEO and maintain a 16% stake in the new structure).

Shortly before closing the agreement with Liberty, Dorna had also secured the rights to the world championship until 2060, extending the previous agreement due to end in 2041, in exchange for a fee of approximately 30 million per year to the FIM.

The Spanish company recorded a record revenue of 486 million euros in 2023. The races attracted over three million spectators to the circuits. The marketing of television rights and sponsorships brought in 326 million euros - the official sponsors of MotoGP for 2025 are: Qatar Airways, Tissot, Michelin, tire supplier, BMW, DHL and Estrella Galicia -, television services generated 104 million and advertising 56 million. In 2022, the turnover was 425 million and had already grown by 33% compared to 2021, with a record EBITDA of 161 million. Dividends of 422 million were distributed, with a net financial debt of over 900 million.

However, in the balance sheet, losses in 2023 tripled from 7.8 million in 2022 to 27 million. The main burden is the annual amortization of about 150 million deriving from the rights acquired, on the various world championships, as mentioned now acquired until 2060.

The aim of the strategic partnership with Liberty Media, of course, is to enhance the value of the MotoGP, as has happened in recent years with Formula 1, making the championship increasingly global and less Eurocentric, increasing revenues and progressively reducing organizational costs.