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Liberty Media Says F1’s U.S. Rights Talks Near Finish, Announcement ‘Relatively Soon’

Liberty signals it will favor a partner able to sponsor the sport, amplifying F1’s broader commercialization.

Alpine's French driver Esteban Ocon races during the first practice session for the Las Vegas Formula One Grand Prix on November 21, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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Overview

  • Liberty Media CEO Derek Chang said negotiations for Formula 1’s next U.S. media-rights deal are “pretty far along” and that news is expected relatively soon.
  • Apple is widely reported as the frontrunner with offers between $120 million and $150 million per year for rights expected to begin in 2026.
  • Incumbent ESPN is reported to be at roughly $85–$90 million annually, with the current U.S. deal set to expire at the end of 2025.
  • Chang emphasized that Liberty is evaluating partners on their ability to act as sponsors and help monetize and commercialize the relationship, not just on rights fees.
  • A move to a streaming-centric partner would trade some linear TV reach for higher revenue, as Liberty cites Apple’s MLS and MLB deals and the box-office success of F1: The Movie in its growth narrative.