Item 1. Business
Item 1. Business.
General Development of Business
Liberty Media Corporation (“Liberty”, the “Company”, “we”, “us” and “our”) owns interests in subsidiaries and other companies that are engaged in the media and entertainment industries primarily in North America and the United Kingdom (“U.K.”). Our principal businesses and assets include our consolidated subsidiaries, Formula 1 and QuintEvents, LLC (“QuintEvents”), and our equity affiliate, Live Nation.
Sirius XM Holdings Inc. (“Sirius XM Holdings”) was a subsidiary of the Company until the Liberty Sirius XM Holdings Split-Off (defined below) on September 9, 2024. Braves Holdings, LLC ("Braves Holdings") was a subsidiary of the Company until the Atlanta Braves Holdings Split-Off (defined below) on July 18, 2023.
On April 15, 2016, the Company reclassified its then-outstanding shares of common stock into three tracking stocks—Liberty Braves common stock, Liberty Media common stock and Liberty SiriusXM common stock (the “Recapitalization”). The Liberty Media common stock was renamed the Liberty Formula One common stock in January 2017.
A tracking stock is a type of common stock that the issuing company intends to reflect or “track” the economic performance of a particular business or “group,” rather than the economic performance of the company as a whole.
On July 18, 2023, the Company completed the split-off (the “Atlanta Braves Holdings Split-Off”) of its wholly owned subsidiary, Atlanta Braves Holdings, Inc. (“Atlanta Braves Holdings”). The Atlanta Braves Holdings Split-Off was accomplished by a redemption by the Company of each outstanding share of Liberty Braves common stock in exchange for one share of the corresponding series of Atlanta Braves Holdings common stock. Atlanta Braves Holdings was comprised of the businesses, assets and liabilities attributed to the Liberty Braves Group (the “Braves Group”) immediately prior to the Atlanta Braves Holdings Split-Off, except for the intergroup interests in the Braves Group attributed to the Liberty SiriusXM Group and the Formula One Group, which were settled and extinguished in connection with the Atlanta Braves Holdings Split-Off.
On August 3, 2023, the Company reclassified its then-outstanding shares of common stock into three new tracking stocks — Liberty SiriusXM common stock, Liberty Formula One common stock and Liberty Live common stock, and, in connection therewith, provided for the attribution of the businesses, assets and liabilities of the Company’s remaining tracking stock groups among its newly created Liberty SiriusXM Group, Formula One Group and Liberty Live Group (the “Reclassification”). As a result of the Reclassification, each then-outstanding share of Liberty SiriusXM common stock was reclassified into one share of the corresponding series of new Liberty SiriusXM common stock and 0.2500 of a share of the corresponding series of Liberty Live common stock and each outstanding share of Liberty Formula One common stock was reclassified into one share of the corresponding series of new Liberty Formula One common stock and 0.0428 of a share of the corresponding series of Liberty Live common stock.
Each of the Atlanta Braves Holdings Split-Off and the Reclassification were intended to be tax-free to stockholders of the Company, except with respect to the receipt of cash in lieu of fractional shares. In July 2024, the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) completed its review of the Reclassification and notified the Company that it agreed with the nontaxable characterization of the transaction. In September 2024, the IRS completed its review of the Atlanta Braves Holdings Split-Off and notified the Company that it agreed with the nontaxable characterization of the transaction. The Atlanta Braves Holdings Split-Off and the Reclassification are reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements on a prospective basis.
On January 2, 2024, the Company purchased QuintEvents for total consideration of approximately $277 million, comprised of $205 million of cash, net of cash acquired of $66 million, and a $6 million settlement of a pre-existing condition.
I-3
Table of Contents
On September 9, 2024, the Company completed the split-off (the “Liberty Sirius XM Holdings Split-Off”) of its wholly owned subsidiary, Liberty Sirius XM Holdings Inc. (“Liberty Sirius XM Holdings”). The Liberty Sirius XM Holdings Split-Off was accomplished through the redemption by the Company of each outstanding share of Liberty SiriusXM common stock in exchange for 0.8375 of a share of Liberty Sirius XM Holdings common stock, with cash paid in lieu of fractional shares. Liberty Sirius XM Holdings was comprised of the businesses, assets and liabilities attributed to the Liberty SiriusXM Group immediately prior to the Liberty Sirius XM Holdings Split-Off. The Liberty Sirius XM Holdings Split-Off was intended to be tax-free to holders of Liberty SiriusXM common stock (except with respect to cash received in lieu of fractional shares).
Following the Liberty Sirius XM Holdings Split-Off, on September 9, 2024, a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Sirius XM Holdings merged with and into Sirius XM Holdings, with Sirius XM Holdings surviving the merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Sirius XM Holdings (the “Merger” and, together with the Liberty Sirius XM Holdings Split-Off, the “Transactions”). As a result of the Transactions, Liberty Sirius XM Holdings became an independent public company, separate from the Company.
While the Formula One Group and the Liberty Live Group have separate collections of businesses, assets and liabilities attributed to them, no group is a separate legal entity and therefore cannot own assets, issue securities or enter into legally binding agreements. Holders of tracking stock have no direct claim to the group’s stock or assets and therefore, do not own, by virtue of their ownership of a Liberty tracking stock, any equity or voting interest in a public company, such as Live Nation, in which Liberty holds an interest that is attributed to a Liberty tracking stock group, the Liberty Live Group. Holders of tracking stock are also not represented by separate boards of directors. Instead, holders of tracking stock are stockholders of the parent corporation, with a single board of directors and subject to all of the risks and liabilities of the parent corporation.
The Liberty Formula One common stock is intended to track and reflect the separate economic performance of the businesses, assets and liabilities attributed to the Formula One Group, which, as of December 31, 2024, include Liberty’s interests in Formula 1 and QuintEvents, cash and Liberty’s 2.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2027.
The Liberty Live common stock is intended to track and reflect the separate economic performance of the businesses, assets and liabilities attributed to the Liberty Live Group. As of December 31, 2024, the Liberty Live Group is primarily comprised of Liberty’s interest in Live Nation, cash, other minority investments, Liberty’s 2.375% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2053 and an undrawn margin loan.
Prior to the Liberty Sirius XM Holdings Split-Off, the Liberty SiriusXM common stock was intended to track and reflect the separate economic performance of the businesses, assets and liabilities attributed to the Liberty SiriusXM Group. At the time of the Liberty Sirius XM Holdings Split-Off, the Liberty SiriusXM Group was comprised of Liberty’s interest in Sirius XM Holdings, corporate cash, Liberty’s 3.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2028, Liberty’s 2.75% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2049 and a margin loan obligation incurred by a wholly-owned special purpose subsidiary of Liberty. Liberty Sirius XM Holdings is presented as a discontinued operation in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. Prior to the Reclassification, Liberty’s interest in Live Nation, Liberty’s 0.5% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2050 and a margin loan secured by shares of Live Nation were attributed to the Liberty SiriusXM Group and are presented as continuing operations in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
Prior to the Atlanta Braves Holdings Split-Off, the Liberty Braves common stock was intended to track and reflect the separate economic performance of the businesses, assets and liabilities attributed to the Braves Group. The Braves Group was primarily comprised of Braves Holdings, which indirectly owns the Atlanta Braves Major League Baseball Club (the “Braves”), certain assets and liabilities associated with the Braves’ stadium (the “Stadium”) and a mixed-use development around the Stadium that features retail, office, hotel and entertainment opportunities and corporate cash. Braves Holdings is not presented as a discontinued operation in the Company’s consolidated financial statements as the Atlanta Braves Holdings Split-Off did not represent a strategic shift that had a major effect on the Company’s operations and financial results.
I-4
Table of Contents
On March 29, 2024, the Company agreed, subject to certain conditions, to acquire approximately 86% of the equity interests in Dorna Sports, S.L., (“Dorna”) for a purchase price of approximately €3.0 billion, to be funded with cash. The Company entered into foreign currency forward contracts for close to the full purchase price. In December 2024, the European Commission (“E.C.”) notified the Company that a Phase II investigation would occur, extending regulatory review beyond December 31, 2024. The Company agreed to pay €126 million to the sellers to extend the longstop date to June 30, 2025 in order to accommodate the Phase II investigation. The €126 million is considered prepaid purchase consideration and is included in other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2024. Subsequent to December 31, 2024, the Company extended a portion of the foreign currency forward contracts through the extended longstop date.
On November 13, 2024, the Company announced that it is pursuing a plan to split-off the Liberty Live Group (the “Liberty Live Split-Off”). Immediately prior to the Liberty Live Split-Off, QuintEvents would be reattributed from the Formula One Group to the Liberty Live Group in exchange for certain private assets and cash. The Liberty Live Split-Off would be effected through the redemption of Liberty Live common stock in exchange for common stock of a newly formed company, Liberty Live Holdings, Inc. The Company would redeem each outstanding share of its Series A, Series B and Series C Liberty Live common stock for one share of the corresponding series of common stock of Liberty Live Holdings, Inc. As a result of the Liberty Live Split-Off, the Company and Liberty Live Holdings, Inc. would be separate publicly traded companies, and the Company would no longer have a tracking stock structure. The Liberty Live Split-Off is subject to various conditions including, among other things, shareholder approval and the receipt of an opinion of tax counsel. The Liberty Live Split-Off is intended to be tax-free to stockholders of the Company.
As of December 31, 2021, 6,792,903 notional shares represented an 11.0% intergroup interest in the Braves Group previously held by the Formula One Group, 2,292,037 notional shares represented a 3.7% intergroup interest in the Braves Group previously held by the Liberty SiriusXM Group and 5,271,475 notional shares represented a 2.2% intergroup interest in the Formula One Group previously held by the Liberty SiriusXM Group.
During September 2022, the Formula One Group and the Braves Group paid approximately $64 million and $14 million, respectively, to the Liberty SiriusXM Group to settle a portion of the intergroup interests in the Formula One Group and Braves Group held by the Liberty SiriusXM Group, as a result of the repurchase of a portion of Liberty’s 1.375% Cash Convertible Senior Notes due 2023 (the “Convertible Notes”). During March 2023, the Formula One Group paid approximately $202 million to the Liberty SiriusXM Group to settle a portion of the intergroup interest in the Formula One Group held by the Liberty SiriusXM Group, as a result of the repurchase of a portion of the Convertible Notes. On July 12, 2023, the Formula One Group paid approximately $71 million to the Liberty SiriusXM Group to settle and extinguish the remaining intergroup interest in the Formula One Group held by the Liberty SiriusXM Group.
In connection with the Atlanta Braves Holdings Split-Off, the intergroup interests in the Braves Group attributed to the Liberty SiriusXM Group and Formula One Group were settled and extinguished through the attribution, to the respective tracking stock group, of Atlanta Braves Holdings Series C common stock on a one-for-one basis equal to the number of notional shares representing the intergroup interest. On July 19, 2023, the shares of Atlanta Braves Holdings Series C common stock attributed to the Formula One Group to settle and extinguish the intergroup interest in connection with the Atlanta Braves Holdings Split-Off were distributed on a pro rata basis to holders of Liberty Formula One common stock. During November 2023, Liberty exchanged the shares of Atlanta Braves Holdings Series C common stock attributed to the Liberty SiriusXM Group with a third party to satisfy certain debt obligations attributed to the Liberty SiriusXM Group.
I-5
Table of Contents
* * * * *
Description of Business
The following table identifies our more significant subsidiaries and minority investments.
Consolidated Subsidiaries
Formula 1
Equity Method Investments
Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE:LYV)
Formula 1
Formula 1 holds the exclusive commercial rights with respect to the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (“FIA”) Formula One World Championship (the “World Championship”), an annual, approximately nine-month long, motor race-based competition in which teams (the “Teams”) compete for the Constructors’ Championship and drivers compete for the Drivers’ Championship. The World Championship, which has been held every year since 1950 and takes place on high profile iconic circuits, is a global series with a varying number of events (“Events”) taking place in different countries around the world each season. In 2024, 24 Events took place in 21 countries across Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and North and South America. In 2024, the World Championship was followed by hundreds of millions of television viewers in approximately 200 territories and Formula 1’s largest Events have hosted live audiences in excess of 450,000 on race weekends.
Formula 1 is responsible for the commercial exploitation and development of the World Championship, in the course of which it coordinates and transacts with the FIA, the governing body and regulator of world motor sport, the Teams, the race promoters that stage Events, various media organizations worldwide, as well as advertisers and sponsors. Formula 1 also performs activities related to critical components of the World Championship, including filming and providing technical support at Events, production of the international television feed and logistics related to the transport of its and the Teams’ equipment, ensuring high quality and reducing delivery risk around the World Championship. Additionally, Formula 1, pursuant to other agreements with the FIA, holds the exclusive right to promote and commercially exploit the F2 and F3 series through 2041, and in 2023 launched F1 Academy, a series aimed at developing and preparing young female drivers to progress to higher levels of competition.
Formula 1 also generates revenue from a variety of other sources, including the operation of the Formula 1 Paddock Club hospitality program (the “Paddock Club”), freight, logistical and travel related services for the Teams and other third parties, the F2 and F3 race series, which run principally as support races during Event weekends, F1 Academy, various television production and post-production activities, digital and social media activities and revenue from other licensing of the commercial rights associated with the Formula 1 brand.
Formula 1 recognizes the majority of its revenue and expenses in connection with Events that take place in different countries around the world, generally between March and December each year. As a result, the revenue and expenses recognized by Formula 1 are generally lower during the first quarter as compared to the rest of the quarters throughout the year.
Primary Revenue
Formula 1 derives its primary revenue from the commercial exploitation and development of the World Championship through a combination of race promotion, media rights and sponsorship arrangements. A significant majority of the race promotion, media rights and sponsorship contracts specify payments in advance and annual increases in the fees payable over the course of the contracts.
Race Promotion. Race promotion revenue comprised 29.3%, 29.3% and 28.6% of Formula 1’s total revenue for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Formula 1 grants to race promoters the rights to host,
I-6
Table of Contents
stage and promote each Event pursuant to contracts that typically have an initial term of three to seven years. For established Events, the duration of subsequent renewals is more variable according to local market conditions. These contracts may allow for flat fees over the term, but more typically they include annual fee escalators over the life of the contract, which are typically based on annual movement in a selected consumer price index or fixed percentages of up to 5% per year.
Race promoters are generally circuit owners, local and national automobile clubs, special event organizers or governmental bodies. Race promoters generate revenue from ticket sales and sometimes from concessions, secondary hospitality offerings (other than the Paddock Club), local sponsorship opportunities and on-site activations. Tickets are sold by the promoters for the entire Event weekend or individual days.
In 2024 and 2023, the Las Vegas Grand Prix was the only Event that was directly promoted by Formula 1, and as a result, Formula 1 was responsible for the development and operation of the circuit and paddock facilities. As a self-promoted event, Formula 1 received the revenue from ticket sales and other commercial arrangements in connection with the event. Revenue from the sale of grandstand and general access tickets is included in Race Promotion revenue.
Media Rights. Media rights revenue comprised 32.8%, 32.2% and 36.4% of Formula 1’s total revenue for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Formula 1 licenses rights to broadcast Events on television and other media platforms in specified countries or regions and in specified languages. These may also include rights to broadcast the race, practice and qualifying sessions, interactive television/digital services, repeat broadcasts and highlights. Contracts with broadcasters, which we refer to as television rights agreements (“TRAs”), typically have a term of three to five years. While annual fees from broadcasters may stay constant, they often increase each year during the term of the TRA by varying amounts. Formula 1’s media rights revenue is primarily generated from: (a) free-to-air television broadcasts, which are received by the end user without charge (other than any television license fee), and non-premium cable, satellite and other broadcasts, which are received as part of a subscriber’s basic package (together, “free-to-air television”); (b) premium and pay-per-view cable and satellite broadcasts, where the subscriber pays a premium fee to receive programming on a package or per-event basis (“pay television”) and (c) subscription revenue from Formula 1’s own direct-to-consumer over-the-top broadcast product F1 TV. In 2024, Formula 1 had 11 free-to-air television agreements, 13 pay television agreements and 27 agreements, including multi-territory agreements, covering both free-to-air and pay television. Formula 1’s key broadcasters include Sky (pay television) in the U.K., Sky Deutschland (pay television) in Germany, Sky Italia (pay television) in Italy, DAZN (pay television) in Spain, ESPN (pay television) in Pan Latin America, Canal+ (pay television) in France, Vietnam and Myanmar, Bandeirantes (free-to-air and pay television) in Brazil, Viaplay (free-to-air and pay television) in Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden and Netherlands, Viaplay (pay television) in Iceland and Poland, ESPN and ESPN Deportes (pay television) in the U.S., beIN Sports (pay television) in Pan Asia and beIN Sports (free-to-air and pay television) in the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey.
Sponsorship. Sponsorship revenue comprised 18.6%, 18.0% and 16.9% of Formula 1’s total revenue for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Formula 1 sells Event-based sponsorship in the form of trackside advertising and race title sponsorship packages. In addition, sponsors can acquire status as a Global Partner of Formula 1 and/or Official Supplier to Formula 1. These advertiser and sponsor contracts typically have a term of three to five years (but may on occasion be of longer duration). Payments often increase each year based on a fixed amount, a fixed percentage or in accordance with the U.S. or European consumer price index or another agreed metric.
Other Revenue
The remainder of Formula 1’s revenue is typically generated from a variety of other sources including facilitating the shipment of cars and equipment to and from events outside of Europe, revenue from the sale of tickets to the Paddock Club at most Events, support races at Events, various television production activities and other ancillary operations. Other revenue also includes the sale of hospitality tickets for the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
I-7
Table of Contents
FIA and the Teams
Formula 1’s business is built on a number of key relationships—those with the FIA, the Teams and Formula 1’s principal commercial partners. See “ —Key Commercial Agreements ” below for more information about Formula 1’s relationships with the FIA and the Teams.
FIA
The FIA is the governing body for world motor sport and as such, is solely responsible for regulating the sporting, technical and safety aspects of the World Championship, including race circuits to be used by race promotors, through the FIA’s F1 Commission and World Motor Sport Council. The FIA regulates all international motor sports, with the World Championship being the most prominent. The FIA owns the World Championship and has granted Formula 1 the exclusive commercial rights to the World Championship until the end of 2110 under the 100-Year Agreements (described below). In addition, the FIA, through its World Motor Sport Council, approves the calendar for the World Championship each year based on the agreed race promotor contracts for the coming season. Under the 100-Year Agreements, Formula 1 is only permitted to enter into race promotion contracts that are substantially in the form agreed between Formula 1 and the FIA.
Teams
The Teams are the participants in the World Championship and its Events, competing for the annual Constructors’ Championship, and their drivers compete for the annual Drivers’ Championship. There were 10 Teams competing in the 2024 World Championship. To be eligible to compete, a Team is responsible for the design and manufacturing of certain key parts of its cars, including the chassis. Currently, the Teams are supplied race engines by one of Ferrari, Mercedes, Renault or Red Bull Powertrains, with Audi and Honda committing to become an engine supplier beginning in the 2026 season and Renault withdrawing as an engine supplier after 2025. Under the terms of the 2021 Concorde Agreement (described below), Teams are entitled to receive significant team payments from a Formula 1 prize fund (the “Prize Fund”) based primarily on their results in prior years’ Constructors’ Championships. Formula 1 has no direct or indirect ownership interest in any Team, nor does it have any contractual arrangements with the drivers, who are all employed or contracted directly by the Teams. Each Team is responsible for securing its own drivers and funding the costs of competing in the World Championship. They receive Prize Fund payments from Formula 1, as well as sponsorship and advertising revenue from their own partners. The 2021 Concorde Agreement between Formula 1, the FIA and the Teams define the terms of the Team’s participation in the World Championship (for further detail, see “— Key Commercial Agreements—Concorde Agreement ” below.)
Drivers
One of the distinctive features of the World Championship is the celebrity and diversity of its drivers. Differences in nationalities, temperaments and racing styles form part of the attractive mosaic of Formula 1. The success of a local driver also impacts the television viewership and revenue generated from that country or region. High profile drivers from the U.K. (Hamilton), the Netherlands (Verstappen) and Spain (Alonso) have helped grow and sustain the Formula 1 business in those countries. For this reason, Formula 1 encourages the development of drivers from other strategic markets. F2 and F3 provide the training ground and final stepping stones to Formula 1 for these drivers. All drivers are employed or contracted by the Teams and have no contractual relationship with Formula 1.
Key Commercial Agreements
100-Year Agreements
Under the 100-Year Agreements entered into by Formula 1 and the FIA in 2001, which took effect on January 1, 2011 and will expire on December 31, 2110, Formula 1 is the exclusive holder of all commercial rights to the World Championship.
The 100-Year Agreements also provide that Formula 1 may appoint a representative to the FIA, subject to the FIA’s approval, and that person will be a member of the FIA’s F1 Commission and World Motor Sport Council. The FIA
I-8
Table of Contents
may terminate the 100-Year Agreements, leading to a transfer of material commercial rights into effective FIA ownership, upon a change of control of Formula 1, unless either the FIA previously approved the transaction or the transaction falls within one of a number of exceptions. Formula 1 obtained the FIA’s approval of its acquisition by Liberty in January 2017 under the 100-Year Agreements.
In addition, the FIA may terminate the 100-Year Agreements if (i) certain Delta Topco Limited (“Delta Topco”) subsidiaries party to the 100-Year Agreements become insolvent; (ii) Formula 1 fails to pay an amount due to the FIA and such non-payment is not cured within 30 days of FIA’s demand for payment; (iii) arbitrators declare that Formula 1 materially breached the 100-Year Agreements and Formula 1 has not paid to the FIA certain penalties to cure such breach; or (iv) Formula 1 changes or removes certain of the FIA’s rights without its prior consent.
Concorde Agreement
From 1981 until 2012, successive Concorde Agreements governed the relationship between Formula 1, the FIA and the Teams, including the regulation of the World Championship. After the then-current Concorde Agreement expired on December 31, 2012, Formula 1 entered into a separate binding bilateral agreement with each Team (the “Team Agreements”), securing the relevant Team’s commitment to continue participating in the World Championship until December 31, 2020. In addition, Formula 1 entered into the 2013 Concorde Implementation Agreement with the FIA in 2013. The 2013 Concorde Implementation Agreement, in addition to making certain modifications to the 100-Year Agreements for the period to end 2030, provides that the FIA agrees to provide certain sporting governance arrangements and regulatory safeguards for the benefit of the Teams, to enter into a new Concorde Agreement for a term of eight years (from 2013 to 2020) reflecting those sporting governance arrangements and regulatory safeguards and to enter into a subsequent Concorde Agreement from 2021 to 2030 or to extend the sporting governance arrangements or regulatory safeguards agreed under the 2013 Concorde Implementation Agreement on substantially the same terms from 2021 to 2030. The Team Agreements and the 2013 Concorde Implementation Agreement together provided, until December 31, 2020, the contractual framework for the World Championship that was previously set out in the Concorde Agreements.
In August 2020, Formula 1, the FIA and the Teams entered into the 2021 Concorde Agreement, securing the commitment of the Teams to continue participating in the World Championship from January 1, 2021 until December 31, 2025, and governing the relationship between the parties during that period. The 2021 Concorde Agreement is made up of two separate documents: (a) the 2021 Concorde Commercial Agreement between Formula 1 and each of the Teams; and (b) the 2021 Concorde Governance Agreement between Formula 1, the FIA and each of the Teams.
The 2021 Concorde Agreement provides, among other things, for the participation of the Teams in the World Championship during the term of that agreement, and provides for Formula 1 to make certain Prize Fund payments to the Teams based on their performance in the Constructors’ Championship and other principles (such as success and heritage in Formula 1).
Key Provisions
As discussed above, the 2021 Concorde Agreement establishes a Prize Fund, establishes procedures for setting the World Championship calendar, and provides for certain termination rights. The 2021 Concorde Agreement establishes rules for the determination of the Prize Fund to be paid to the Teams, which is calculated with reference to certain percentages of Formula 1’s Prize Fund Adjusted EBIT (defined by Formula 1 as operating profit adjusted to exclude certain specific, and largely non-cash items). A share of the Prize Fund is paid to Ferrari in recognition of its heritage, with the remainder paid to Teams based on their results in prior Constructors’ Championships (a significant majority of which is based on their position in the prior year’s World Championship). Under the 2021 Concorde Agreement, the consent of 70% of the Teams is required if there are more than 24 Events in a season or if there are fewer than eight Events across Europe and North America combined.
The 2021 Concorde Agreement may be terminated with respect to a Team if the Team fails to participate in more than three Events in a season, fails to submit a valid entry for participation in the World Championship or becomes
I-9
Table of Contents
insolvent. Teams may terminate their rights and obligations pursuant to the 2021 Concorde Agreement by giving one full season’s written notice to Formula 1, as well as under certain other circumstances, including:
● Formula 1 is unable to pay its debts when they become due;
● Formula 1 fails for three months to pay an aggregate amount due in excess of $10 million to the Team; or
● Upon the occurrence of specified compliance violations or sanctions-related events.
Circuit Rights Agreements
Under circuit rights agreements (the “Circuit Rights Agreements”), Formula 1 acquires from race promoters certain rights to commercially exploit at the Events, including the rights to sell trackside advertising and title sponsorship, the right to sell Paddock Club hospitality (other than at three Events) and commercial use of the name of the Event and circuit. In a few cases a cash payment is made for the grant of these circuit rights and in others Formula 1 offers a commission or share of revenue to a race promoter where they have been instrumental in introducing a new sponsor from its territory that purchases a title sponsorship or trackside advertising. Circuit Rights Agreements typically have a term that is tied to the relevant race promoter contract.
Intellectual Property
Formula 1 is the registered owner of a portfolio of trademark registrations and applications, including for the F1 logo, the World Championship logo (which is used only in sporting contexts), “Formula One”, “Formula 1”, “F1” and “Grand Prix” when used in connection with any of the aforementioned and most of the official Event titles where they are capable of registration.
Formula 1 owns the copyright on footage of each Event since 1981 as well as footage related to a large number of pre-1981 Events. Ownership of this copyright enables Formula 1 to license that footage to broadcasters and to take legal action against infringers of that copyright. Under the 2021 Concorde Agreement, Formula 1 also has the exclusive right, subject to limited exceptions, to use each Team’s intellectual property rights (including image rights) to portray the World Championship and/or any Event in any visual form.
Licenses and Permits
Formula 1 is required to obtain permits for the allocation and use of radio frequencies which are necessary for the operation of live camera and other equipment used in the production of live television images and also in live radio communications used by Formula 1, the FIA, the Teams (including car to pit radio transmissions) and the emergency services. Such radio frequency permits are obtained by a dedicated unit in the television production team, with assistance from the local race promoter. Typically, such radio frequency permits are obtained from the relevant governmental authority responsible for licensing the use of radio frequencies in the host country of the relevant Event. The requirements and procedures for obtaining such permits vary by country and they may involve the completion of written formalities or the inspection by the relevant governmental authority of all equipment to be operated with a radio frequency. Permits are typically issued subject to conditions, which Formula 1 has generally been able to satisfy.
Strategy
Formula 1’s goal is to further broaden and increase the global scale and appeal of the World Championship in order to improve the overall value of Formula 1 as a sport and its financial performance. Key factors of this strategy include:
● Maximizing the value of Formula 1’s commercial rights;
o Leveraging high demand and positive competitive tension for Event renewals to increase the quality and value of every race slot
I-10
Table of Contents
o Maximizing media rights across markets, including alternate media platforms; continuing to grow Formula 1’s direct-to-consumer F1 TV product, alongside its growing suite of digital media assets
o Developing sponsorship revenue by optimizing Formula 1’s existing inventory to maximize impact, exclusivity and value for Formula 1’s partners, while creating new, tailored assets to satisfy growing demand from a broad-spectrum of global brands
o Enhancing Formula 1’s hospitality and experience business by developing its existing Paddock Club, together with new premium offerings
● Augmenting Formula 1’s diverse and valuable fanbase by expanding the ways in which it interacts with fans, which will drive deeper fan engagement and improved fan data;
● Driving growth in key strategic markets with under-monetized fan potential;
● Improving the on-track competitive balance of the World Championship and the long-term financial stability of the participating Teams; and
● Improving the environmental and social impact of Formula 1 and its related activities by delivering Net Zero by 2030, leaving a legacy of positive change wherever it races, and building a more diverse and inclusive sport. Formula 1 is also pioneering a 100% advanced sustainable fuel to be introduced in 2026 that will be a “drop-in fuel” and can be used in road cars without modification worldwide .
Live Nation
Live Nation is considered the world’s leading live entertainment company.
Live Nation’s Business Segments
Concerts. Live Nation’s Concerts segment principally involves the global promotion of live music events in its owned or operated venues and in rented third-party venues, the operation and management of music venues, the production of music festivals across the world, the creation of associated content and the provision of management and other services to artists. While its Concerts segment traditionally operates year-round, Live Nation experiences higher revenue during the second and third quarters due to the seasonal nature of shows at its outdoor amphitheaters and festivals, which primarily occur from May through October. Live Nation expects its seasonality trends to evolve as it continues to expand its global operations. Revenue is generally impacted by the number of events, volume of ticket sales and ticket prices. Event costs such as artist fees and production expenses are included in direct operating expenses and are typically substantial in relation to the revenue.
Ticketing . Live Nation’s Ticketing segment is primarily an agency business that sells tickets for events on behalf of its clients and retains a portion of the service charge as a fee. Live Nation sells tickets for its events and also for third-party clients across multiple live event categories, providing ticketing services for leading arenas, stadiums, amphitheaters, music clubs, concert promoters, professional sports franchises and leagues, college sports teams, performing arts venues, museums and theaters. Live Nation sells tickets through mobile apps, websites, and ticket outlets. Live Nation’s Ticketing segment also manages its online activities including enhancements to its websites and product offerings. Live Nation’s ticketing sales are impacted by fluctuations in the availability of events for sale to the public, which may vary depending upon event scheduling by its clients.
Sponsorship & Advertising. Live Nation’s Sponsorship & Advertising segment employs a sales force that creates and maintains relationships with sponsors through a combination of strategic, international, national and local opportunities that allow businesses to reach customers through its concert, festival, venue and ticketing assets, including advertising on Live Nation websites. Live Nation works with its corporate clients to help create marketing programs that support their business goals and connect their brands directly with fans and artists. Live Nation also develops, books and produces custom events or programs for its clients’ specific brands, which are typically presented exclusively to the clients’ consumers. These custom events can involve live music events with talent and media, using both online and traditional outlets. Live Nation typically experiences higher revenue in the second and third quarters as a large portion of sponsorships
I-11
Table of Contents
are typically associated with its outdoor venues and festivals which are primarily used in, or occur from, May through October.
Terms of Live Nation Investment
At December 31, 2024, we beneficially owned approximately 69.6 million shares of Live Nation common stock, which represented approximately 30% of the issued and outstanding shares as of December 31, 2024.
Under our stockholders agreement with Live Nation, we have the right to nominate two directors (one of whom must qualify as an independent director) to the Live Nation board of directors, currently comprised of 12 directors, for so long as our ownership interest provides us with not less than 5% of the total voting power of Live Nation’s equity securities. We also have the right to cause one of our nominees to serve on the audit committee and the compensation committee of the board, provided they meet the independence and other qualifications for membership on those committees. Live Nation has waived the director independence requirement with respect to our nominees to the Live Nation board of directors, and we have waived our right to cause one of our nominees to serve on the audit and compensation committees of the board.
We have agreed under the stockholders agreement not to acquire beneficial ownership of Live Nation equity securities that would result in our having in excess of 35% of the voting power of Live Nation’s equity securities. That percentage is subject to decrease for specified transfers of our Live Nation stock. We have been exempted from the restrictions on business combinations set forth in Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, and Live Nation has agreed in the stockholders agreement not to take certain actions that would materially and adversely affect our ability to acquire Live Nation securities representing up to 35% of the voting power of Live Nation’s equity securities.
Other Minority Investments
We also own a portfolio of minority equity investments in public and private companies. These non-core assets may be monetized in the future, potentially through derivative and structured transactions as well as public and private sales.
Regulatory Matters
The operations and business of Formula 1 are subject to European and national competition laws which require Formula 1 at all times to ensure its business practices and agreements are consistent with the operation of competitive markets. Following an investigation by the E.C. into the commercialization of Formula 1 and related agreements in 1999, Formula 1 modified certain of its business practices and changed the terms of a number of its commercial contracts with Teams, broadcasters, promoters and the FIA. In October 2001, the E.C. issued two comfort letters to Formula 1 stating that it was no longer under investigation. Comfort letters are not binding on the E.C. and if it believes that there has been a material change in circumstances, further enforcement action could be taken. The E.C. issued a press release in October 2003 stating that it was satisfied that Formula 1 had complied with the modified practices and terms that had led to its issuing the 2001 comfort letters and that it had ended its monitoring of Formula 1’s compliance.
Competition
With respect to Formula 1, the World Championship competes with many alternative forms of entertainment, such as other sporting and live events, for television viewership, live attendance and advertising. For example, Formula 1 competes for media rights and advertising revenue with other global and regional Tier 1 sports, including the Olympic Games, FIFA World Cup, Champions League and Premier League. Within national markets, Formula 1 competes with local racing events, such as the Indianapolis 500 race and NASCAR in the U.S.
Live Nation faces competition in the live music industry, in attracting touring artists to the venues it owns and operates and from ticketing services primarily through online and mobile channels but also through phone, outlet and box office channels. Competition in the live entertainment industry is intense. Live Nation believes that it competes primarily on the basis of its ability to deliver quality music events, sell tickets and provide enhanced fan and artist experiences. It believes that its primary strengths include the quality of service delivered to its artists, fans, ticketing clients and corporate
I-12
Table of Contents
sponsors, its track record and reputation in promoting and producing live music events and tours both domestically and internationally, its artist relationships, its global footprint, the quality of its ticketing software and services, its ecommerce site and extensive database, its diverse distribution platform of venues, the scope, effectiveness and expertise of its advertising and sponsorship programs and its financial stability.
Human Capital Resources
General
As of December 31, 2024, we had 84 corporate employees, and our consolidated subsidiaries had an aggregate of approximately 1,100 full and part-time employees. We believe that our employee relations are good.
Liberty and its subsidiaries strive to create diverse, inclusive and supportive workplaces, with opportunities for employees to grow and develop in their careers, supported by competitive compensation, benefits and health and wellness programs, and by programs that build connections between employees and their communities.
Talent Development
Liberty fosters a strong learning culture by investing in our employees and empowering them to participate in opportunities for personal and professional growth. Some of these opportunities (which vary across our company and our subsidiaries) include tuition reimbursement for professional related coursework, executive and career coaching, paid professional seminars, paid membership in professional organizations, on-site lunch and learn educational meetings and internally led presentations on industry topics.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Liberty strives to cultivate a culture that provides a sense of belonging and inclusiveness. Our Company respects diversity and the unique perspectives, ideas, skills and abilities of our employees that lead our Company to achieve better business results. To reinforce this commitment to inclusion and diversity at the corporate level, Liberty supports domestic partner benefits, paid parental leave, fertility benefits, flexible work arrangements, on-going training, mentorship for female leaders and quarterly town-hall meetings with our Chief Executive Officer.
Similarly, our subsidiaries have undertaken their own individual commitments to developing a diverse workforce. Through its efforts to develop diversity within motorsport, Formula 1 seeks to find the next generation of talent emerging from underrepresented backgrounds. Following the launch of the Formula 1 Engineering Scholarship Program in 2021, Formula 1 has since committed to extending the program through 2025, supporting 10 students per year in their undergraduate and post-graduate engineering degrees at leading universities in the U.K. and Italy. In 2023, Formula 1 launched the F1 Academy series, an all-female driver category, to develop and prepare young female drivers to progress to higher levels of competition. In 2024, the F1 Academy series was featured as a support race at seven Events. As part of a wider program of diversity and inclusion initiatives, Formula 1 has also committed to creating employment opportunities for those from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds by offering apprenticeships and internships across the business.
Compensation and Benefits
Liberty and its subsidiaries aim to provide attractive compensation and benefits programs for their employees. In addition to salaries, these programs (which vary across our company and our subsidiaries) may include, among other items, bonuses, stock awards, 401(k) plans, non-qualified deferred compensation plans, healthcare and insurance benefits, health savings and flexible spending accounts, paid time off, paid parental leave, advocacy resources, flexible work schedules and employee assistance programs.
I-13
Table of Contents
Available Information
All of our filings with the SEC, including our Form 10-Ks, Form 10-Qs and Form 8-Ks, as well as amendments to such filings are available on our Internet website free of charge generally within 24 hours after we file such material with the SEC. Our website address is www.libertymedia.com.
Our corporate governance guidelines, code of business conduct and ethics, compensation committee charter, nominating and corporate governance committee charter, and audit committee charter are available on our website. In addition, we will provide a copy of any of these documents, free of charge, to any shareholder who calls or submits a request in writing to Investor Relations, Liberty Media Corporation, 12300 Liberty Boulevard, Englewood, Colorado 80112, Tel. No. (877) 772-1518.
The information contained on our website and the websites of our subsidiaries and affiliated businesses mentioned throughout this report is not incorporated by reference herein.