Forbes: Liberty Media named most valuable sports empire for 2023

Forbes has ranked Liberty Media, the parent company of Formula 1, as the world’s most valuable sports empire for 2023. Its valuation has increased by $7.8 billion since 2021.

According to Forbes, the value of Liberty Media’s sports empire for 2023 is $20.8 billion. Formula One is the most valuable asset in Liberty’s portfolio with an enterprise value of $17.1 billion, followed by the Atlanta Braves MLB team, valued at $2.1 billion.

Liberty Media, which acquired Formula 1 from a group led by private equity firm CVC and Bernie Ecclestone for $4.4 billion in late 2016, wasn’t included in Forbes’ annual rankings until 2021. The change in methodology made them eligible for inclusion.

The $17.1 billion valuation of Formula 1 for 2023, including debts, comes after the FIA President Mohammad Ben Sulayem issued a warning to potential buyers against “inflated price tags” in a series of tweets.

This comes after reports that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund had looked into buying Formula 1 in a deal valued at over $20 billion.

Ben Sulayem further emphasized on Twitter that a “clear, sustainable plan” and not just money is what a potential buyer should bring to the table and that they should also consider the “greater good of the sport” and apply common sense.

F1 Management and Liberty Media have taken issue with Ben Sulayem’s comments, stating that they exceed the FIA’s jurisdiction, thus fueling an ongoing conflict between F1 and the FIA. According to a letter sent to the World Motorsport Council (first reported by Sky Sports News), the comments made by Sulayem could lead to “serious regulatory consequences” and the FIA could also be held liable.

Liberty Media’s valuation has risen year-on-year, with a $3.6 billion increase from the 2022 ranking, and a significant $7.8 billion increase from 2021, and now valued at $20.8 billion.

During this period, the number of viewers continued to grow, with the total TV audience for 2021 up 4% from the previous year, and in 2022, US viewership increased significantly as ESPN reported record numbers.

Formula 1’s valuation was $4.35 billion more than the second highest on the list, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, which owns the Premier League football club Arsenal, the Los Angeles Rams, the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche, the Denver Nuggets of the NBA and the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams.

While the Glazer Family, which owns the Premier League football club Manchester United and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is valued at $9.57 billion less than Formula 1’s enterprise value.

Liberty Media empire 2023 Liberty Media empire 2023

You may like – F1 2023 – A mental battle is expected between Gasly and Ocon

Also make sure you follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter, Instagram  for all the latest updates between issues.