The European Union’s antitrust regulators have established a crucial deadline of July 1 for their decision on Liberty Media’s €3.5 billion ($3.8 billion) acquisition of Dorna Sports, according to an update on the European Commission’s website.
The Commission had previously paused its review in February, awaiting further information from the involved parties. However, the investigation resumed on March 7, with the regulatory clock now ticking towards the July 1 deadline.
The deal between Liberty Media, the owner of Formula One, and Dorna Sports, the parent company of MotoGP, has raised concerns regarding the potential impact on competition. The EU has expressed concerns that the merger could lead to higher prices for broadcasting rights for motorsports events, affecting both Formula One and MotoGP.
In addition to this, regulators are examining whether John Malone, the largest shareholder of Liberty Media’s parent company, Liberty Global, holds significant influence over both entities. There are concerns that Malone’s influence could lead to anti-competitive practices, potentially preventing rival broadcasters from accessing sports content in key markets such as Belgium, Ireland, and the Netherlands, where Liberty Global holds a strong presence.
As the investigation progresses, stakeholders in the broadcasting and motorsports industries are closely monitoring the case, which could have significant implications for the future of media rights and competition within the sector.
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