F1 Owner’s $3.8 Billion MotoGP Deal Faces Full-Scale EU Probe
- Step signals first major escalation by new EU chief Ribera
- EU officials concerned over impact on broadcasting, streaming
A crash during the MotoGP Malaysian Grand Prix.
Photographer: Mohd Rasfan/AFP/Getty ImagesFormula 1 owner Liberty Media Corp.’s $3.8 billion plan to buy motorcycle racing league MotoGP World Championship is set to be hit by an in-depth European Union probe, in the first escalation of a big merger case by new antitrust chief Teresa Ribera.
The Spaniard’s team is concerned the tie-up could hamper competition in broadcasting and streaming markets by drawing two giant motorsports brands under one banner, according to people familiar with the EU probe who spoke on condition of anonymity.