MotoGP Reveals New Logo in Major Brand Identity Overhaul
MotoGP has revealed a new logo as part of a comprehensive brand overhaul for 2025, marking a departure from the iconic chequered flag design.
Liberty Media’s proposed acquisition of MotoGP promoter Dorna Sports has hit a significant roadblock. The European Union is set to intensify its antitrust review of the €3.5 billion deal.
The takeover has the new EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribera’s team worried, it could stifle competition in broadcasting and streaming sectors by bringing two major motorsports brands under a single umbrella.
The company said in April that it would acquire about 86% of MotoGP’s parent company Dorna, with Dorna management retaining around 14% of its equity, giving the deal an enterprise value of 4.2 billion euros for Dorna/MotoGP and an equity value of 3.5 billion euros.
However, with less than a week to go until the current December 19th deadline, EU officials are reportedly preparing to escalate their probe to a phase 2 investigation.
This deeper review procedure lasts three months on average and could lead to a range of outcomes, including outright rejection. It should be noted that the decision is still in draft form, not final, and could still be revised.
A possible delay would mean a significant setback, especially for Liberty Media, which initially aimed to finalize the deal by the end of 2024. Should the acquisition fall through, the American media company would face a €126 million penalty payment to Dorna.
Acquiring a majority stake in Dorna Sports is not Liberty Media’s first foray into motorsports. In 2016, the company completed a $4.4 billion acquisition of Formula One from a consortium led by CVC Capital Partners.
More recently, last month, Liberty Media announced the spinoff of most of its assets, excluding Formula One and other related sports investments, as it looks to sharpen focus on its motorsports businesses.
