Growth and expansion were the key topics highlighted during the announcement of Liberty Media’s acquisition of MotoGP.

“Carmelo and his management team have built a great sporting spectacle tha🌺t we can expand to a wider global audience,” said Greg Maffei, Liberty Media President and CEO. “We intend to grow the sport for MotoGP fans, teams, commercial partners and our shareholders.”

Dorna CEO♌ Carmelo Ezpeleta added: “We could not wish for a better partner to expand MotoGP’s fanbase aro▨und the world.”

Presenta﷽tion literature accompanying the takeover likewise saw MotoGP described as having a “significant opportunity to grow, especially in underpenetrated markets”.

So how exactly does Liberty plan to achieve s☂uch growth?

The answer comes under the heading of ‘Liberty Partnership to Accelerate MotoGP Growth’ which details the following six moves:

• Leverage Liberty’s Ability to Scale Leading Global Sports Assets
• Expansion Opportunity Especially in Key Growth Markets including US
• Amplify Marketing Support and Storytelling Capabilities
• Broaden MotoGP Reach and Appeal to Drive Competition and Boost Commercial Partnerships
• Expose Sport to Wider Fanbase and Fuel Value of Entire Ecosystem
• Improve Hospitality and Fan Experience

Regarding the current MotoGP fanbase, in a ‘Meeting the MotoGP Fan’ section, the following data is given, sourced from the 2022 Gl🔜obal MotoGP Fan survey.

Female fans and those under 24 are l𒀰abelled as ‘growth segments’, with younger fans ‘more likely to follow a specific rider’.

Both of those groups ‘be𓄧have differently’ to ‘Heritage fans’, who are described as 'sport-first' and suppor💧t 'multiple teams and riders'.

1. Highly Engaged and Loyal Fan Base

• 92% fans identify as “avid” followers

• 82% have followed the sport for 6+ years

• 82% fans watch over 75% of all races

2. Avid Race Attendees

• 40% of MotoGP fans have attended a live race in last 5 years

• 24% have travelled to a non-home GP

3. Heritage Fans Overwhelmingly “Sport-First”

• 77% of fans support multiple teams and riders

• Most important features of sport per fans:

o Exciting races

o Overtaking / on-track action

o Close competition

o Most talented riders

o Leading manufacturers

o Fastest machinery

4. Growth Segments Behave Differently From Heritage Fans

• 1/3 of female fans followed sport for <5 years and skew younger

• Fans <24 years old more likely to follow a specific rider