Liberty Media receives nod from EU regulators for MotoGP deal
MotoGP - Aragon Grand Prix - Ciudad del Motor de Aragon, Alcaniz, Spain - June 8, 2025 General view of a MotoGP logo in the paddock REUTERS/Pablo Morano/File Photo
Formula One F1 - Monaco Grand Prix - Circuit de Monaco, Monaco - May 22, 2025 General view of the F1 logo ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq/File Photo
BRUSSELS - Formula One owner Liberty Media received unconditional clearance from EU regulators for its roughly 4 billion euros ($4.60 billion) acquisition of Dorna Sports, which owns MotoGP, the European Commission said on Monday.
Liberty Media had argued the transaction would allow it to grow the reach and appeal of MotoGP.
The commission said the decision followed a lengthy probe that examined if the acquisition would reduce competition for the licensing of sports content broadcasting rights.
"Based on the evidence gathered, the Commission found that on such markets the companies are not close competitors for the licensing of broadcasting rights for sports content," the commission said in a statement.
"Therefore, the transaction will not remove important competitive constraints between Formula 1 and MotoGP," it added.
Liberty Media CEO Derek Chang welcomed the EU's clearance and reiterated he saw the potential for strong growth in MotoGP.
"Today's approval from the European Commission marks the final condition to closing Liberty's acquisition of MotoGP," said Chang.
"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 realize through deepening the connection with the core fan base and expanding to a wider global audience," he added.
Liberty Media said its acquisition of 84% of Dorna was worth 4.3 billion euros on an enterprise value basis, and represented an equity value of 3.7 billion euros.
Reuters had reported that EU regulators were poised to approve the acquisition in April. REUTERS
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
34 minutes ago
- Straits Times
US announces up to $5 million reward for information on Afghan-American taken by Taliban
US announces up to $5 million reward for information on Afghan-American taken by Taliban WASHINGTON - The U.S. on Monday announced a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to the location and release of Mahmoud Habibi, an Afghan-American businessman who was detained by the Taliban's intelligence service on August 10, 2022. A former civil aviation chief under Afghanistan's ousted Western-backed government, Habibi and his driver were seized along with 29 other employees of the Kabul telecommunications firm for which he worked, said a State Department notice. All except Habibi and one other person were subsequently released. "Mr. Habibi has not been heard from since his initial arrest and the so-called Taliban government has yet to provide any information regarding his whereabouts or condition," said the notice issued by the department's Rewards for Justice program. "Rewards for Justice is offering a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to the location, recovery, and return of" Habibi, it said. The Taliban, who seized Kabul as the last U.S. troops pulled out in August 2021 after a 20-year war, deny holding Habibi. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Sampdoria stay up as Serie B awards 3-0 win after fan trouble at Salernitana
Sampdoria fans at the Luigi Ferraris Stadium in Genoa during the 2022-23 season, when they were relegated from Serie A. They have narrowly avoided dropping into Italy's third tier for the first time. PHOTO: AFP Sampdoria stay up as Serie B awards 3-0 win after fan trouble at Salernitana Sampdoria have pulled off a great escape as Serie B officials awarded them a 3-0 win over Salernitana on June 23, after the second leg of the relegation play-off was abandoned, securing another season in Italy's second tier. The match between hosts Salernitana and Sampdoria was abandoned on June 22 after home fans threw smoke bombs and seats onto the pitch, with a Serie B sports judge ruling that Sampdoria would be awarded the win. Sampdoria have now a 5-0 aggregate victory after their 2-0 first-leg win, confirming their escape from what had seemed like certain relegation to the third tier only a month ago. The Genoa club were initially relegated to Serie C for the first time in their 78-year history in May, only to be handed a lifeline after Brescia were docked points for financial irregularities, dropping them below Sampdoria. For Salernitana, the season ended on a very sour note, with the Salerno club also ordered to play two matches behind closed doors, marking their second consecutive relegation in as many seasons. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Osaka earns first grass win of the season with victory over qualifier Danilovic
Osaka earns first grass win of the season with victory over qualifier Danilovic BAD HOMBURG, Germany - Four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka fired 16 aces past Serbian qualifier Olga Danilovic to earn a 7-6(6) 7-6(4) victory at the Bad Homburg Open on Monday for her first win on grass this season less than a week before the start of Wimbledon. The 27-year-old Japanese player, who had lost in the first round at her last two tournaments -- the French Open and the Berlin Open -- had won her first title in May in almost two years following a maternity break. Osaka, who had reached the third round of the Australian Open in January before retiring injured, has not had back-to-back wins on any surface since the Italian Open in May. She is currently ranked 56th in the world. "It's my first grasscourt win of the year," Osaka said. "I am excited about that. I am super excited to play here and be back for my next round." Asked whether she was on track to improve her form on the surface, she said: "I hope so. I think I have potential but everyone is really good so I cannot take it for granted." The pair held serve to take the first set into a tiebreak where Osaka snatched it on her second set point. Osaka was 40-0 up on her opponent's serve at 2-2 in the second set but she could not bag the first break of either player in the match, with Danilovic holding serve with her eighth ace of the match. Osaka, however, got the mini-break she needed in the tiebreak when she challenged a Danilovic first serve that was then ruled out, with the qualifier then double-faulting. She held on to that slim advantage to earn a spot in the round of 16 where she will face fifth-seed Emma Navarro. Russian eighth-seed Ekaterina Alexandrova also eased into the next round with a 6-1 6-2 win over Swiss Belinda Bencic. Croatia's Donna Vekic made equally light work of sixth seed southpaw Diana Shnaider for a 6-3 6-3 victory. Clara Tauson of Denmark needed to work harder and battle from a set down before snatching a 6-7(6) 6-3 6-3 against Poland's Magdalena Frech. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
