F1 owner Liberty Media finally set to seal deal to take control of MotoGP after European approval
Spain's rider Marc Marquez of the Ducati Lenovo Team steers his motorcycle followed by Italian rider Francesco Bagnaia of the Ducati Lenovo Team and Spain's rider Alex Marquez of the BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP during the MotoGP race of the Grand Prix of Italy at the Mugello circuit in Scarperia, Italy, Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
Spain's rider Marc Marquez of the Ducati Lenovo Team steers his motorcycle followed by Spain's rider Alex Marquez of the BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP and Italian rider Francesco Bagnaia of the Ducati Lenovo Team during the MotoGP race of the Grand Prix of Italy at the Mugello circuit in Scarperia, Italy, Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
Spain's rider Marc Marquez of the Ducati Lenovo Team steers his motorcycle followed by Spain's rider Alex Marquez of the BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP and Italian rider Francesco Bagnaia of the Ducati Lenovo Team during the MotoGP race of the Grand Prix of Italy at the Mugello circuit in Scarperia, Italy, Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
Spain's rider Marc Marquez of the Ducati Lenovo Team steers his motorcycle followed by Italian rider Francesco Bagnaia of the Ducati Lenovo Team and Spain's rider Alex Marquez of the BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP during the MotoGP race of the Grand Prix of Italy at the Mugello circuit in Scarperia, Italy, Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
Spain's rider Marc Marquez of the Ducati Lenovo Team steers his motorcycle followed by Spain's rider Alex Marquez of the BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP and Italian rider Francesco Bagnaia of the Ducati Lenovo Team during the MotoGP race of the Grand Prix of Italy at the Mugello circuit in Scarperia, Italy, Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
MADRID (AP) — Formula 1 owner Liberty Media is finally set to complete a deal to take control of motorcycle racing series MotoGP after receiving approval from the European Commission.
Liberty Media said Monday the 'unconditional' approval was the last step in completing the deal to buy 84% of Spain-based MotoGP rights holder Dorna Sports.
Advertisement
'MotoGP is a highly attractive premium sports asset with incredible racing, a passionate fanbase and a strong cash flow profile," Liberty Media president and CEO Derek Chang said in a statement.
"We believe the sport and brand have significant growth potential, which we will look to realize through deepening the connection with the core fan base and expanding to a wider global audience.'
Liberty said the deal, which was first announced in April 2024, could go through by July 3.
The process was held up in December when the European Commission opened what it called an 'in-depth investigation' into whether the agreement would hike the cost of broadcast rights for motorsports events.
Advertisement
Dorna chief executive Carmelo Ezpeleta remains in charge of MotoGP but Liberty said he will be joined on the Dorna board by Chase Carey and Sean Bratches, two veterans of Liberty's takeover of F1 in 2017. They were part of its efforts to grow and modernize F1 as a business, especially in the United States.
___
AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Pep Guardiola told to sign out-of-favour Barcelona captain for Manchester City
Marc-Andre Ter Stegen is staring at an uncertain future at Barcelona, despite his insistence that he is under contract and has no plans to leave. Barcelona's commitment to new signing Joan Garcia, alongside the expected contract renewal of Wojciech Szczesny, places the 33-year-old German international in a difficult position. Advertisement Flick is leaning toward giving the No. 1 shirt at Barcelona to Garcia with Szczesny as his backup, leaving Ter Stegen out of favour. Lothar Matthaus advises Man City to sign Ter Stegen Amidst this unfolding situation, German legend Lothar Matthaus has advised Pep Guardiola's Manchester City to sign Ter Stegen to replace Ederson in their goal. 'I don't know what Manchester City are planning, but I don't think they are very happy with Ederson. I think Ter Stegen could definitely be a goalkeeper for the Cityzens for the next three or four years,' he told Sky Germany (h/t SPORT). Discussing his compatriot's difficult situation at Barça, the former Germany captain added: Advertisement 'The situation is unpleasant for him. He has returned in good shape after a long injury and has shown, especially in the Nations League against France, that he is still a world-class goalkeeper at 33 years of age.' However, he acknowledged that Barcelona are well within their right to move to a younger goalkeeper like Garcia, saying: 'Garcia is nine years younger, is already part of the Spanish national team and is expected to play for them in the future. 'A club is within its rights to say that for the future it will go for a younger goalkeeper who can also cost less in wages.' What next for Ter Stegen? (Photo by) Advertisement Matthaus stated that he believed Barcelona were not dictating Hansi Flick's choices as far as the goalkeeping spot is concerned but insisted that the manager had shown he still trusted Ter Stegen. 'I don't know how Barça will act, whether Hansi Flick will be instructed to play the new goalkeeper,' he said. 'I could imagine that Hansi has spoken internally in favour of Ter Stegen. Why would a coach be against a very good goalkeeper? Flick used Ter Stegen in La Liga at the end of last season. That shows that he trusts him.' Still, Matthaus noted that the club 'also has its interests,' and if Barcelona back Garcia, 'it could become a dangerous situation for Ter Stegen,' potentially leading to a point where 'Julian Nagelsmann can no longer justify calling him up if he is only on the bench at Barcelona.' Advertisement For this reason, Matthaus believes that with Szczesny likely to renew, 'I suppose Ter Stegen will leave Barcelona.' Addressing the interest shown by Galatasaray in the German shot-stopper, the legend added: 'Galatasaray have shown their ambitions with the signing of Sané and will play in the Champions League next season. 'There are also six clubs in England who will play in the Champions League next season, and not all of them have such a strong goalkeeper to say: 'Ter Stegen would not be a reinforcement for us.''
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Real Madrid superstar still not back in training but return edging closer
Real Madrid superstar still not back in training but return edging closer The trip to the USA for the FIFA Club World Cup has not gone according to plan so far for Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe. The 26-year-old forward has been sidelined for a week now due to illness with an acute case of gastroenteritis even leading to him being hospitalised briefly. Advertisement As such, Mbappe has not featured for Real Madrid in either of their Group H games against Al-Hilal and Pachuca thus far. Mbappe still not back in traning Now, according to MARCA, Mbappe remains unable to train under Xabi Alonso's orders. As Real Madrid resumed work following their victory over Pachuca, the French forward was once again absent. However, his return is approaching. Set to return soon? (Photo by) Mbappe has now joined the team at the training facility, although he continues to work individually in the gym as he recovers from a bout of gastroenteritis. Ahead of the Pachuca game, manager Alonso suggested that the French international could be ready in time for the final group game against RB Salzburg this week. And as things stand, things appear to be progressing towards that. Advertisement Mbappe entered the Club World Cup in top form after finishing the regular season securing the Pichichi and Golden Boot titles with 43 goals under his belt. The France captain entered the tournament eyeing the milestone of 50, a target that seemed within reach but the illness spoiled those plans. Mbappe is now working towards a return with the hopes of resuming the scoring push against Salzburg this week.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
📽️ MSC, Marassi and The Simpsons: Gronbaek's hilarious unveiling 😂
Genoa has acquired Albert Gronbaek from Rennes, but this is not the most interesting news. What is already making the rounds on social media is the way the rossoblù club has decided to present the new midfield signing. Gronbaek was featured in a sketch that mimics the celebrated cartoon "The Simpsons". In the 27-second video, an MSC cruise ship is seen docking next to the Marassi stadium, and finally, Gronbaek appears in the Simpson family's living room. The midfielder, born in 2001, has arrived on loan with an option to buy and has already signed a multi-year contract with the Grifone. This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.
