According to Sky News on Sunday, Liberty Media, the American business that owns Formula One, is anticipated to declare a purchase of the parent company of MotoGP in a matter of days. This acquisition is expected to be for a sum over 4 billion euros ($4.32 billion).
During a visit to Madrid on Monday, the broadcaster stated that Liberty CEO Greg Maffei might confirm the agreement as soon as possible.
However, no one managed to contact Liberty or Dorna Sports. The Spanish-based commercial rights holder for MotoGP is owned by the British private investment firm Bridgepoint Group, holding almost 40%.
Last week, the Financial Times revealed that Liberty, led by billionaire John Malone from the telecommunications industry, was in exclusive negotiations with Bridgepoint. Consequently, they aim to acquire Dorna and combine the two and four wheel races.
Under longtime CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta, Dorna also supports the all-electric MotoE and the World Superbike Championship.
The acquisition can come under regulatory investigation. The European Commission gave CVC Capital Partners permission to purchase Formula One in 2006, if they sold Dorna. CVC Capital Partners sold Formula One to Liberty in 2017.
Bridgepoint sold a 39% share of Dorna to the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) in 2012. The management of Dorna owns the remaining shares.
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