Englewood-based Liberty Media Corp. reaches $4.4 billion deal for Formula One auto-racing franchise

Liberty Media Corp. led by Colorado billionaire John Malone is acquiring the NASCAR’s European cousin, Formula One, in a $4.4 billion deal.

staff photo
(Nick Webb/Flickr)

(Nick Webb/Flickr)

Liberty Media Corp. announced this week that it’s adding another sports franchise to its clutch.

The Englewood-based company led by Colorado billionaire John Malone is acquiring NASCAR’s European cousin, Formula One, in a $4.4 billion deal.

“We think our long-term perspective and expertise with media and sports assets will allow us to be good stewards of Formula One and benefit fans, teams and our shareholders,” Liberty Media CEO and president Greg Maffei said in a statement.

Liberty Media took over ownership of the Atlanta Braves baseball team in 2007. The company also controls the satellite radio company Sirius XM Holdings Inc.

Liberty Media is taking over Formula One from the European investment firm CVC Capital Partners. Formula One will remain based in London.

Earlier this year, Liberty Media Corp. made a roughly $3.4 billion pass at Pandora Media Inc., but the streaming music company rejected the acquisition offer.

Subscribe to Denverite’s newsletter here. Business & data reporter Adrian D. Garcia can be reached via email at [email protected] or twitter.com/adriandgarcia.

Weird times

Denverite is powered by you. In these weird times, the local vigilance, the local context, the local flavor — it’s powered through your donations. If you’d miss Denverite if it disappeared tomorrow, donate today.

You’re our superpower

Denverite supporters have made the decision to financially support local journalism that matters to you. Ready to tell your networks why? Sharing our “About” page with your own personal comments could really help us out.

You’re our superpower

Denverite members have made the decision to financially support local journalism that matters to you. Ready to tell your networks why? Sharing our “About” page with your own personal comments could really help us out.