- Liberty Media acquires 84 percent of Dorna Sports for €3.1 billion, equivalent to approximately $3.35 billion
- Official renaming to MotoGP Sport Entertainment SL in 2026
- Extensive personnel and structural changes at management level
The Motorcycle World Championship is facing one of the most comprehensive periods of change in its history. In addition to the planned rule change in 2027, the economic and organizational foundations of the series are already changing. At the center of this is long-time rights holder Dorna Sports, which, following its acquisition by Liberty Media, will not only be restructured but also given a new name.
Liberty Media acquires majority stake in Dorna Sports in 2025
In 2025, the European Commission and other relevant authorities approved the sale of 84 percent of the shares in Dorna Sports to Liberty Media. The purchase price is €3.1 billion, equivalent to around $3.35 billion. This gives Liberty Media control over the commercial rights to MotoGP and other racing series.
The entry of the US media group is considered one of the most significant changes of ownership in the recent history of the sport. Observers speak of a strategic realignment with a stronger focus on global marketing and entertainment structures.
Renaming to MotoGP Sport Entertainment SL
Effective from 2026, Dorna Sports will officially operate under the name MotoGP Sport Entertainment SL.
After more than three decades, the traditional name will thus disappear from international motorcycle racing.
The integration of the term MotoGP into the new company name is striking. In addition to the premier class, the company has also been responsible for the Superbike World Championship WorldSBK and the FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship WCR. The renaming indicates a stronger brand focus on MotoGP.
Changes at management level and in the corporate structure
The restructuring goes beyond a mere name change. In recent months, several management-level positions have been filled or abolished.
Pablo González Mosqueira, Juan Sánchez Alférez, and Pablo Matesanz Rodríguez were dismissed as company representatives and lost their respective powers. María Dolores Priego Luque was appointed as the authorized representative.
William Nicholas Jackson resigned as president. He is succeeded by Charles Gordon Carey. José María Maldonado Trinchant also stepped down as vice president.
Martin Edward Patterson was officially appointed Senior Vice President of Liberty Media Corporation back in January. He is supported by Idelfonso Polo del Marmol and Oriol Abad Vela as deputy secretaries without mandate on the board.
Carmelo Ezpeleta remains CEO. He has been at the helm of the company since 1998 and will retain his position, as will CFO Enrique Aldama, who will continue to serve as CFO.
New responsibilities in the commercial area
With a view to the 2026 season, further personnel changes are being made. Borja de Altolaguirre is to take on the role of Head of Sponsorship. He previously served as Director of Global Alliances and gained professional experience at Paris Saint-Germain F.C. and the National Basketball Association, among others.
Marc Saurina will focus more strongly on the Superbike World Championship WorldSBK in the future. The aim is to consolidate and expand the commercial base of the production-based racing series.
Daniel Ruiz, who joined from Adidas in 2025 as Commercial Strategy Director, is responsible for hospitality and licensing and works closely with the marketing department. At the same time, the search is on for a Chief Commercial Officer, who will play a central role in strategic marketing in the future.
Strategic realignment under Liberty Media
The restructuring signals a comprehensive adjustment of the commercial orientation. Liberty Media had already made numerous structural and media changes after acquiring Formula 1 in 2017. MotoGP is also likely to see a stronger focus on global reach, digital presence, and entertainment concepts.
It remains to be seen whether and how these measures will affect the sport in the long term. What is certain is that the renaming to MotoGP Sport Entertainment SL marks the beginning of a new chapter in the economic organization of the Motorcycle World Championship.
What this means for me as a MotoGP fan
For MotoGP fans, the changes will initially take place mainly in the background. The renaming and personnel changes primarily affect the commercial and strategic orientation of the sport, not directly the racing action on the track. In the medium to long term, however, adjustments in event staging, media presence, digital offerings, and fan engagement could become noticeable. Whether this will result in concrete advantages in terms of accessibility, entertainment, or international reach will only become apparent once Liberty Media’s new strategy has been implemented in practice.
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