European Commission to investigate Liberty Media’s acquisition of Dorna Sports

Formula One owner Liberty Media announced in April its planned acquisition of Dorna Sports, the exclusive commercial rights holder to the MotoGP World Championship.

The Commission said it had concerns that the transaction could lead to higher prices for the licensing of broadcasting rights for motorsports events hosted by both parties.

“The transaction raises serious competition concerns in potential narrow national markets for the licensing of broadcasting rights for motorsports content in the European Economic Area, where Formula One is the clear market leader in all European countries and MotoGP is most often its only competitor,” said the Commission in a statement.

The Commission will also investigate whether Liberty Media's and Liberty Global's largest shareholder John Malone, is able to exert decisive influence over both companies. “If confirmed, the transaction could also give rise to concerns that Liberty Media may foreclose rival broadcasters in countries in which Liberty Global is active, namely in Belgium, Ireland and the Netherlands,” said the Commission.

Teresa Ribera, The European Commission’s Executive Vice-President for Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, said: “By acquiring Dorna Sports, Liberty Media would hold the commercial rights to two of the most popular motorsports in Europe: Formula One and MotoGP. We need to more carefully assess whether this acquisition could negatively affect European broadcasters, for example in terms of increased license fees, and ultimately European consumers and motorsports fans through higher prices. We will at the same time openly consider any substantiated claims by the parties about possible benefits this acquisition might bring, for fans, the industry and for consumers.”

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