EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 1560385
Filing Year: 2025
Filename: 1560385_10-K_2025_0001558370-25-001830.json

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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 and series through 2041, and in 2023 launched 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 and race series, which run principally as support races during Event weekends, 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,
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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 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.
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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 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. and 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 Commission and World Motor Sport Council. The FIA
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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
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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 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
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o Maximizing media rights across markets, including alternate media platforms; continuing to grow Formula 1’s direct-to-consumer 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
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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
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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 Academy series, an all-female driver category, to develop and prepare young female drivers to progress to higher levels of competition. In 2024, the 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.
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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.

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
An investment in our common stock involves risk. Before investing in our common stock, in addition to the other information described in Item 7 (“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”) of Part II, you should carefully consider the following risks. Such risks are not the only ones that relate to our businesses and capitalization. The risks described below are considered to be the most material. However, there may be other unknown or unpredictable economic, business, competitive, regulatory or other factors that also could have material adverse effects on our businesses. Past financial performance may not be a reliable indicator of future performance and historical trends should not be used to anticipate results or trends in future periods. If any of the events described below or in the documents incorporated by reference herein were to occur, our businesses, prospects, financial condition, results of operations and/or cash flows could be materially adversely affected, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on the value of our common stock.
Risks Relating to our Company, as a Whole
The historical financial information of the Formula One Group and the Liberty Live Group included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K may not necessarily reflect their results had they been separate companies.
One of the reasons for the creation of a tracking stock is to permit equity investors to apply more specific criteria in valuing the shares of a particular group, such as comparisons of earnings multiples with those of other companies in the same business sector. In valuing shares of Liberty Formula One common stock and Liberty Live common stock, investors should recognize that the historical financial information of the Formula One Group and the Liberty Live Group has been extracted from our consolidated financial statements and may not necessarily reflect what the Formula One Group’s and the Liberty Live Group’s results of operations, financial condition and cash flows would have been had these groups been separate, stand-alone entities pursuing independent strategies during the periods presented.
We may have future capital needs and may not be able to obtain additional financing on acceptable terms.
As of December 31, 2024, we had outstanding corporate-level indebtedness in the principal amount of $1.7 billion. Our ability to access the cash flow of Formula 1 is subject to covenant restrictions set forth in the debt instruments of certain subsidiaries of Delta Topco, the parent company of Formula 1. Accordingly, our ability to obtain significant financing in the future, on favorable terms or at all, may be limited. If debt financing is not available to us in the future, we may obtain liquidity through the sale or monetization of our debt or equity securities, or we may issue equity securities. If additional funds are raised through the issuance of equity securities, our stockholders may experience significant dilution. If we are unable to obtain sufficient liquidity in the future, we may be unable to develop our businesses properly, complete acquisitions or otherwise take advantage of business opportunities or respond to competitive pressures, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations and those attributed to our groups.
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A substantial portion of our consolidated debt is held above the operating subsidiary level, and we could be unable in the future to obtain cash in amounts sufficient to service that debt and our other financial obligations.
As of December 31, 2024, we had approximately $1.7 billion principal amount of corporate-level debt outstanding, consisting of $475 million outstanding under our 2.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2027, $1.15 billion outstanding under our 2.375% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2053 and $53 million of other obligations. Our ability to meet our financial obligations will depend on our ability to access cash. Our primary sources of cash include our available cash balances, dividends and interest from our investments, monetization of our public investment portfolio and proceeds from asset sales. We do not have the right to cause Live Nation to pay dividends (See “-We do not have the right to manage our business affiliate, Live Nation, which means we are not able to cause it to operate in a manner that is favorable to us.”) and following the Liberty Sirius XM Holdings Split-Off, we no longer receive dividends from Sirius XM Holdings. Further, our ability to receive dividends or payments or advances from our businesses depends on their individual operating results, any statutory, regulatory or contractual restrictions to which they may be or may become subject and the terms of their own indebtedness. The agreements governing such indebtedness restrict sales of assets and prohibit or limit the payment of dividends or the making of distributions, loans or advances to stockholders, non-wholly owned subsidiaries or our partners. We generally do not receive cash, in the form of dividends, loans, advances or otherwise, from any of our subsidiaries or business affiliates.
The success of businesses attributed to each of our tracking stock groups, in part, depends on their popularity with audiences, which is difficult to predict.
Live entertainment events, including sporting events, are inherently risky businesses because the revenue derived from these businesses depends primarily upon their popularity with public audiences, which is difficult to predict. The commercial success of live entertainment depends upon the quality and acceptance of competing programs, the availability of alternative forms of entertainment and leisure time activities, general economic conditions and other tangible and intangible factors, many of which are difficult to predict. In the case of sponsorship agreements, audience size is an important factor when rates are negotiated. Audience size is also an important factor when determining ticket pricing for live entertainment events and the value of broadcast rights. Consequently, low public acceptance of the services and events provided by companies such as Formula 1 and Live Nation could hurt the ability of these companies to maintain or grow revenue, which would adversely impact the financial performance of the groups to which these companies are attributed.
Our businesses attributed to the Formula One Group and the Liberty Live Group, such as Formula 1 and Live Nation, may not realize the benefits of acquisitions or other strategic investments and initiatives.
Our business strategy and that of our subsidiaries and business affiliates, including Formula 1 and Live Nation, may include selective acquisitions, other strategic investments and initiatives that allow them to expand their business. The success of any acquisition, including the acquisition of Dorna, depends upon effective integration and management of acquired businesses and assets into the acquirer’s operations, which is subject to risks and uncertainties, including the realization of the growth potential, any anticipated synergies and cost savings, the ability to retain and attract personnel, the diversion of management’s attention from other business concerns and undisclosed or potential legal liabilities of acquired businesses or assets.
Weak and uncertain economic conditions may reduce consumer demand for products, services and events offered by our businesses attributed to each of our groups.
A weak or uncertain economy in the U.S. or, in the case of the Formula One Group, globally, could adversely affect demand for our products, services and events. A substantial portion of our revenue is derived from discretionary spending by individuals, which typically falls during times of economic recession or instability. A reduction in discretionary spending could adversely affect revenue through reduced live-entertainment and sporting event expenditures. Accordingly, the ability of our businesses attributed to each of our groups to increase or maintain revenue and earnings could be adversely affected to the extent that relevant economic environments remain weak or decline further. In addition, inflation, which has significantly risen, may increase operational costs, including labor costs, and elevated interest rates or further increases in interest rates in response to concerns about inflation may have the effect of further increasing economic
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uncertainty and heightening these risks. We currently are unable to predict the extent of any of these potential adverse effects.
Our Company has overlapping directors and management with QVC Group, Liberty Broadband and TripCo, which may lead to conflicting interests.
As a result of transactions between 2011 and 2014 that resulted in the separate corporate existence of our Company, QVC Group, Liberty Broadband and TripCo, all or most of the executive officers of Liberty also serve as executive officers of QVC Group, Liberty Broadband and TripCo, and there are overlapping directors at each of QVC Group, Liberty Broadband and TripCo. Our executive officers and members of Liberty’s board of directors (the “Board of Directors”) have fiduciary duties to our stockholders. Likewise, any such persons who serve in similar capacities at QVC Group, Liberty Broadband or TripCo have fiduciary duties to that company’s stockholders. For example, there may be the potential for a conflict of interest when our Company, QVC Group, Liberty Broadband or TripCo pursues acquisitions and other business opportunities that may be suitable for each of them. Therefore, such persons may have conflicts of interest or the appearance of conflicts of interest with respect to matters involving or affecting more than one of the companies to which they owe fiduciary duties. Moreover, most of our Company’s directors and officers continue to own QVC Group, Liberty Broadband and/or TripCo stock and options to purchase stock in those companies. These ownership interests could create, or appear to create, potential conflicts of interest when the applicable individuals are faced with decisions that could have different implications for our Company, QVC Group, Liberty Broadband and/or TripCo. Any potential conflict that qualifies as a “related party transaction” (as defined in Item 404 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) is subject to review by an independent committee of the applicable issuer’s board of directors in accordance with its corporate governance guidelines. Each of Liberty Broadband and TripCo has renounced its rights to certain business opportunities and its respective restated certificate of incorporation contains provisions deeming directors and officers not in breach of their fiduciary duties in certain cases for directing a corporate opportunity to another person or entity (including our Company, QVC Group, Liberty Broadband and TripCo) instead of such company. Other potential conflicts that arise will be addressed on a case-by-case basis, keeping in mind the applicable fiduciary duties owed by the executive officers and directors of each issuer. From time to time, we may enter into transactions with QVC Group, Liberty Broadband, TripCo and/or their respective subsidiaries or other affiliates. There can be no assurance that the terms of any such transactions will be as favorable to our Company, QVC Group, Liberty Broadband, TripCo or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates as would be the case where there is no overlapping officer or director.
The unfavorable outcome of pending or future litigation could have a material adverse impact on the operations and financial condition of businesses attributed to each of our groups.
Our subsidiaries and business affiliates are parties to several legal proceedings arising out of various aspects of their businesses, including class actions arising out of their marketing practices. The outcome of these proceedings may not be favorable, and one or more unfavorable outcomes could have a material adverse impact on their financial condition, which can impact the financial performance of the group to which they are attributed.
Certain of our subsidiaries and business affiliates have operations outside of the U.S. that are subject to numerous operational risks.
Certain of our subsidiaries and business affiliates have operations in countries other than the U.S. In many foreign countries, particularly in certain developing economies, it is not uncommon to encounter business practices that are prohibited by certain regulations, such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and similar laws. Although certain of our subsidiaries and business affiliates have undertaken compliance efforts with respect to these laws, their respective employees, contractors and agents, as well as those companies to which they outsource certain of their business operations, may take actions in violation of their policies and procedures. Any such violation, even if prohibited by the policies and procedures of these subsidiaries and business affiliates or the law, could have certain adverse effects on the financial condition and reputation of these subsidiaries and business affiliates. Any failure by these subsidiaries and business affiliates to effectively manage the challenges associated with the international operation of their businesses could materially adversely affect their, and hence our, financial condition.
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We may be subject to significant tax liabilities related to the Liberty Sirius XM Holdings Split-Off.
In connection with the Liberty Sirius XM Holdings Split-Off, we received an opinion of our tax counsel to the effect that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Liberty Sirius XM Holdings Split-Off will qualify as a generally tax-free transaction under Section 355, Section 368(a)(1)(D) and related provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) to Liberty and to former holders of Liberty SiriusXM common stock. We did not obtain a private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) regarding the U.S. federal income tax treatment of the Liberty Sirius XM Holdings Split-Off. Opinions of counsel are not binding on the IRS or the courts, and there can be no assurance that the IRS will not challenge the conclusions reached in such opinions or that a court would not sustain such a challenge. If it is determined that the Liberty Sirius XM Holdings Split-Off does not qualify under Section 355, Section 368(a)(1)(D) and related provisions of the Code, we and the former holders of Liberty SiriusXM common stock who received common stock of Liberty Sirius XM Holdings in the Liberty Sirius XM Holdings Split-Off could incur significant tax liabilities.
Even if the Liberty Sirius XM Holdings Split-Off otherwise qualifies under Section 355, Section 368(a)(1)(D), and related provisions of the Code, the Liberty Sirius XM Holdings Split-Off would result in a significant U.S. federal income tax liability to us (but not to former holders of Liberty SiriusXM common stock) under Section 355(e) of the Code if one or more persons acquire, directly or indirectly, a 50% or greater interest (measured by vote or value) in the stock of our Company or in the stock of Liberty Sirius XM Holdings (or any successor corporation) as part of a plan or series of related transactions that includes the Liberty Sirius XM Holdings Split-Off. The process for determining whether an acquisition is part of a plan under these rules is complex, inherently factual in nature, and subject to a comprehensive analysis of the facts and circumstances of the particular case. Notwithstanding the opinion of tax counsel described above, we or Liberty Sirius XM Holdings might inadvertently cause or permit a prohibited change in our or Liberty Sirius XM Holdings’ ownership to occur, thereby triggering tax liability to us.
Prior to the Liberty Sirius XM Holdings Split-Off, we entered into a tax sharing agreement with Liberty Sirius XM Holdings. Under this agreement, our Company is generally responsible for taxes and losses resulting from the Liberty Sirius XM Holdings Split-Off; however, Liberty Sirius XM Holdings is required to indemnify us for any taxes and losses (other than any taxes or tax-related losses that result from Section 355(e) of the Code applying to the Liberty Sirius XM Holdings Split-Off as a result of the Liberty Sirius XM Holdings Split-Off being part of a plan (or series of related transactions) pursuant to which one or more persons acquire a 50-percent or greater interest (measured by vote or value) in the stock of our Company) resulting from the failure of the Liberty Sirius XM Holdings Split-Off to qualify as a generally tax-free transaction under Section 355, Section 368(a)(1)(D) and related provisions of the Code, to the extent such taxes or losses (i) result primarily from, individually or in the aggregate, the breach of certain covenants made by Liberty Sirius XM Holdings (applicable to actions or failures to act by Liberty Sirius XM Holdings and its subsidiaries following the completion of the Liberty Sirius XM Holdings Split-Off), (ii) result primarily from, individually or in the aggregate, the failure of certain representations made by Sirius XM Holdings in support of the opinion of our tax counsel regarding the generally tax-free status of the Liberty Sirius XM Holdings Split-Off to be true and correct, or (iii) result from the application of Section 355(e) of the Code to the Liberty Sirius XM Holdings Split-Off as a result of the treatment of the Liberty Sirius XM Holdings Split-Off as part of a plan (or series of related transactions) pursuant to which one or more persons acquire, directly or indirectly, a 50% or greater interest (measured by vote or value) in the stock of Liberty Sirius XM Holdings (or any successor corporation), except, in the case of clauses (i) and (ii), if such taxes and losses result from an action required to be taken pursuant to the transaction agreements relating to the Liberty Sirius XM Holdings Split-Off. As the taxpaying entity, however, we are subject to the risk of non-payment by Liberty Sirius XM Holdings of its indemnification obligations under the tax sharing agreement. Cash for the payment of any taxes and losses resulting from the Liberty Sirius XM Holdings Split-Off which are not allocated to and paid by Liberty Sirius XM Holdings pursuant to our tax sharing agreement with Liberty Sirius XM Holdings generally would be drawn from funds attributed to the Liberty Live Group, except that cash for the payment of any taxes and losses (a) resulting primarily from a breach by us following the Liberty Sirius XM Holdings Split-Off of any contractual covenants made by us in connection with the Liberty Sirius XM Holdings Split-Off or (b) resulting from Section 355(e) of the Code applying to the Liberty Sirius XM Holdings Split-Off as a result of the Liberty Sirius XM Holdings Split-Off being part of a plan (or series of related transactions) pursuant to which one or more persons acquire a 50% or greater interest (measured by vote or value) in the stock of our Company shall, in each case, be drawn proportionately from funds attributed to the Formula One Group and the Liberty Live Group based upon the relative market capitalizations of the tracking stock of each group over the first three trading days following completion of the Liberty Sirius XM Holdings Split-Off, as determined in accordance with our tax sharing policies.
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To preserve the tax-free treatment of the Liberty Sirius XM Holdings Split-Off, we may determine to forgo certain transactions that might have otherwise been advantageous to our Company, including certain asset dispositions or other strategic transactions for some period of time following the Liberty Sirius XM Holdings Split-Off. In addition, our potential tax liabilities related to the Liberty Sirius XM Holdings Split-Off might discourage, delay or prevent a change of control transaction for some period of time following the Liberty Sirius XM Holdings Split-Off.
The degradation, failure or misuse of the Company’s information systems could cause a disruption of services or improper loss, use and disclosure of personal data or other confidential information, resulting in increased costs, liabilities or loss of revenue.
Cloud services, information systems and other technologies that we or our vendors or other partners use are critical to our business activities, and shutdowns or disruptions of, and cybersecurity threats and cybersecurity incidents on, such systems pose increasing risks. Disruptions, such as computer hacking and phishing, theft, computer viruses, ransomware, worms or other destructive software, process breakdowns, denial of service attacks or other malicious activities, as well as power outages, natural or other disasters (including extreme weather), terrorist activities or human error, have occurred in the past and may in the future affect the systems and services we utilize and could result in disruption of our services, misappropriation, misuse, alteration, theft, loss, leakage, falsification, and accidental or premature release or improper disclosure of confidential or other information, including intellectual property and personal data (of third parties or employees) contained on such information systems. Further, the use of AI and machine learning by cybercriminals may increase the frequency and severity of cybersecurity attacks against us or our businesses’ vendors and other service providers. The techniques used to access, disable or degrade service or sabotage systems change frequently and continue to become more sophisticated and targeted, and the increasing use of artificial intelligence may intensify the risks of cybersecurity threats and cybersecurity incidents. While we and our vendors and partners continue to develop, implement and maintain security measures seeking to identify and mitigate the risks of cybersecurity threats and cybersecurity incidents, including unauthorized access or misuse, as discussed under Item 1C of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, such efforts are costly, require ongoing monitoring and updating and may not be successful in preventing these events from occurring.
In addition, the Company’s recovery and business continuity plans may not be adequate to address any cybersecurity incidents that occur. Although no cybersecurity incident has been material to the Company’s businesses to date, we expect to continue to be subject to cybersecurity threats and cybersecurity incidents and there can be no assurance that we will not experience a material cybersecurity incident. In addition, third party service providers, such as telecommunications and cloud services providers, have been subject to increasing cyberattacks from state-sponsored threat actors that could materially impact our information systems and operations. Any cybersecurity incident could result in a disruption of our operations, customer or advertiser dissatisfaction, damage to our reputation or brands, regulatory investigations, claims, lawsuits or loss of customers or revenue of Formula 1 and Live Nation, and the Company may also be subject to liability under relevant contractual obligations and laws and regulations protecting personal data and may be required to expend significant resources to defend, remedy and/or address any cybersecurity incidents and claims, investigations, penalties, fines, damages or settlements arising from cybersecurity incidents. The Company may not have adequate insurance coverage to compensate it for any losses that may occur.
Formula 1 and Live Nation have been, and may in the future be, materially impacted by a pandemic or epidemic, such as COVID-19.
Although Formula 1 and Live Nation saw a return to normal business operations, schedules and events following the COVID-19 pandemic, it is unclear whether and to what extent a future pandemic or epidemic will impact the use of and/or demand for the entertainment, events and services provided by these businesses and demand for sponsorship and advertising assets. If these businesses face cancelled events, closed venues and reduced attendance, as was the result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact may substantially decrease our revenue. For example, due to the revenue reductions caused by COVID-19 in 2020 and 2021, these businesses looked to reduce expenses and they may not be able to reduce expenses to the same degree as any decline in revenue due to any future pandemic or epidemic, which may adversely affect our results of operations and cash flow.
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In addition, our businesses are particularly sensitive to reductions in travel and discretionary consumer spending. We cannot predict the time period over which our businesses would be impacted by a future pandemic or epidemic. Over the long-term, a future pandemic or epidemic could impede economic activity in impacted regions or globally, causing a global recession, leading to a further decline in discretionary spending on sports and entertainment events and other leisure activities, which could result in long-term effects on our businesses.
For the reasons set forth above and other reasons that may come to light as a result of a future pandemic or epidemic, we cannot reasonably estimate the impact to our future revenue, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition, but such impacts have been, and may in the future be, significant and could have a material adverse effect on our business, revenue, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.
Risks Relating to the Formula One Group
There could be a decline in the popularity of Formula 1, which may have a material adverse effect on Formula 1’s ability to exploit its commercial rights to the World Championship.
The success of Formula 1’s business and its ability to profitably renew or enter into beneficial new commercial arrangements, including race promotion, media rights and sponsorship contracts, is largely dependent upon the continued popularity of the World Championship. Similarly, the sponsorship and other revenue generation of the Teams are dependent on such continued popularity and, if such revenue decreased, it may impact their ability or willingness to continue participating in the World Championship. The popularity of Formula 1, globally and in particular countries and regions, may be influenced by competition from any rival championship and other forms of motor sport or similar entertainment which challenge Formula 1’s position and reputation as the pinnacle of world motor sport, the continued participation of the leading Teams, the perceived entertainment value of the World Championship, changes in societal views on automobiles more generally and an unfavorable economic climate which may discourage fans from attending Events or make it more difficult to expand into new markets, all of which could change rapidly and cannot be predicted. See “-Rival motor sport events could be established involving existing Teams or different teams, or existing Teams may divert their resources to participate in another motor sport event, which could lead to fewer Teams and race circuits being involved in Formula 1, or a Team’s primary engagement in motor sport being in another motor sport event, either of which could diminish the competitive position of Formula 1.” Formula 1 also faces stiff competition from other live sporting events, and with sporting events delivered over television networks, radio, the Internet and online services, mobile applications and other alternative sources, as well as from the availability of alternative forms of entertainment and leisure activities. Formula 1 competes for attendance, viewership and advertising with a wide range of alternatives, such as top flight soccer leagues in many of its non-U.S. markets. As a result of the large number of options available, Formula 1 faces strong competition for the attention of sports fans.
Further, a scandal which undermines the credibility of the sport, such as a race fixing scandal, or accident could also impact the popularity of Formula 1. In particular regions, the popularity of the World Championship varies depending upon the participation and performance of drivers and Teams from that region. There is no assurance that Formula 1 will be able to compete effectively with other forms of sports or entertainment or that the World Championship will maintain its popularity either globally or in any particular country or region. Any decrease in the continued popularity of the World Championship may affect Formula 1’s ability to enter into or renew race promotion, media rights, advertising, sponsorship or other commercial agreements which may materially adversely affect Formula 1’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, and in turn materially adversely impact the Formula One Group.
Termination of the 100-Year Agreements could cause Formula 1 to discontinue its operations.
Under the 100-Year Agreements, entered into by Formula 1 and the FIA in 2001, Formula 1 was granted an exclusive license with respect to all of the commercial rights to the World Championship, including its trademarks. This license, which took effect on January 1, 2011 and will expire on December 31, 2110, maintains Formula 1’s exclusive commercial rights to the World Championship which Formula 1 held under previous agreements with the FIA, among other things. The license under the 100-Year Agreements is critical to the ongoing operation of Formula 1’s business. Formula 1’s rights under these agreements can be terminated by the FIA if Formula 1 materially breaches the relevant agreements (with certain of such breaches subject to certain cure rights), undergoes an unpermitted change of control,
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interferes with certain of the FIA’s rights under the 100-Year Agreements or experiences certain insolvency events. If Formula 1’s license under the 100-Year Agreements was terminated in accordance with its terms or the FIA or another person successfully challenged the validity of that license (or the 100-Year Agreements as a whole), it could cause Formula 1 to discontinue its operations, lead to the termination of substantially all of Formula 1’s commercial contracts, prevent Formula 1 from exploiting the commercial rights to the World Championship and require Formula 1 to discontinue use of the World Championship trademarks and other intellectual property rights, which would materially adversely impact the Formula One Group.
Teams may, in certain circumstances, terminate their existing commitment to participate in the World Championship until (and including) 2025 or breach their obligations and withdraw.
Formula 1’s ability to effectively stage the World Championship depends on the ongoing involvement of its participants. Pursuant to the 2021 Concorde Agreement, each of the current 10 Teams have committed to participate in the World Championship until December 31, 2025, subject to earlier termination upon the occurrence of certain events. Formula 1 cannot provide assurance that any of the Teams will commit to participate in the World Championship beyond 2025, or that the FIA will enter into a subsequent Concorde Agreement beyond 2030. If any of the current Teams cease to participate in the World Championship, Formula 1 may attempt to encourage new entrants to the World Championship; however, there is no assurance Formula 1 will be able to do this. If such Teams were not replaced, it could result in fewer competitors in the World Championship as compared to recent seasons which may impact the perceived entertainment value of Events. In addition, any negotiation for an extension to the term of the Team Agreements or the Concorde Arrangements could result in less favorable terms to Formula 1.
Even if a Team has committed to participate in the World Championship it may be able to exercise termination rights under the 2021 Concorde Agreement in certain circumstances and withdraw. For additional information regarding the 2021 Concorde Agreement, see “Item 1. Business-Formula 1-Key Commercial Agreements-Key Provisions.”
A lesser number of teams may reduce the popularity of Formula 1 which may affect its ability to enter into or renew race promotion, media rights, advertising, sponsorship or other commercial agreements, which may materially and adversely affect Formula 1’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, and in turn may materially adversely impact the Formula One Group.
The FIA may take actions which are not in Formula 1’s interest.
The FIA is the governing body of the World Championship and a party to the 100-Year Agreements and the 2013 Concorde Implementation Agreement. In its capacity as the governing body of the World Championship, the FIA must place safety and other sporting concerns over Formula 1’s commercial interests. As a result, the FIA may take actions with respect to safety and sporting standards and regulations which conflict with Formula 1’s interests as the commercial rights holder, including by increasing the cost to Teams of participating in the World Championship, diminishing the visual and sonic spectacle of Events, imposing fines on or excluding Teams, cancelling or delaying an Event, withholding approval for the staging of an Event, a new circuit or Formula 1’s proposed season calendar or establishing regulations without the support of the Teams. As a party to the 100-Year Agreements and the 2021 Concorde Governance Agreement, the FIA has certain rights, and the exercise or purported exercise of the FIA’s rights thereunder may conflict with Formula 1’s interests. Any actions taken by the FIA which conflict with Formula 1’s interests may adversely impact Formula 1’s operations and revenue, and in turn may materially adversely impact the Formula One Group.
Formula 1 may be subject to enforcement actions under competition laws.
As further described in “Item 1.Business-Regulatory Matters,” following an investigation by the E.C. in 1999 in relation to Formula 1’s compliance with competition laws, Formula 1 modified certain of its business practices and changed the terms of a number of Formula 1’s commercial contracts. Following these modifications and changes, the E.C. issued two comfort letters to Formula 1 in October 2001 stating that Formula 1 was no longer under investigation. Comfort letters are not binding on the E.C. and if it believes there has been a material change in circumstances, it could take further enforcement action. 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 its comfort letters and that it had ended its
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monitoring of Formula 1’s compliance. In adopting practices and concluding commercial contracts (including as to contracts with broadcasters (and the manner in which these rights are offered), contracts with Teams and contracts with promoters), Formula 1 takes into account the modified practices that formed the basis of the EC’s comfort letters.
Formula 1 is also required to comply with general European Union 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. Failure to comply with the relevant practices, terms, laws and rules can give rise to challenges by the EC, national competition regulators and other interested parties. In addition, they could cause or deem certain of Formula 1’s commercial contracts (including the Team Agreements) to be unenforceable in whole or in part and/or require various terms (including duration, scope and exclusivity) to be modified, and/or Formula 1 could be liable for damages or other sanctions. In August 2024, we received a notification from the Department of Justice, Antitrust Division that an investigation has been opened with respect to Formula 1’s conduct concerning the application by Andretti Formula Racing to enter the World Championship. Although we are fully cooperating with the investigation, there can be no assurance of the outcome.
Formula 1 has sought to adopt practices and conclude commercial contracts that take into account competition law as it applies to the specific nature of Formula 1’s sporting and entertainment businesses, Formula 1’s role within those businesses and the roles of the counterparties to Formula 1’s commercial contracts. However given the uncertainty of the law in this area, and the possibility of third parties instigating action, there is a risk of further E.C. investigations, challenges or proceedings against Formula 1. For example, two Teams made a complaint against Formula 1 to the E.C. in September 2015 regarding the distribution of the Prize Fund and current sporting governance arrangements (though Formula 1 rejected the complaint as being without merit and believed it was in any event, a commercial dispute and not one that involved any breach of competition law). Although this particular complaint was withdrawn by the two Teams in early 2018, for the reasons set out above, no assurance can be given that there will be no future E.C. investigations, challenges or proceedings regarding unasserted matters.
Any of the foregoing could materially and adversely affect Formula 1’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, which in turn could materially adversely impact the Formula One Group.
Formula 1 may be unable to renew, replace or renegotiate on favorable terms one or more of Formula 1’s race promotion, media rights or sponsorship contracts.
Formula 1’s race promotion, media rights and sponsorship contracts typically have terms of three to seven years, three to five years and three to five years, respectively, but may on occasion be of longer duration. When these contracts expire, Formula 1 may not be able to renew or replace them with contracts on similar terms or at all. Further, counterparties to Formula 1 contracts may seek to terminate or renegotiate them, and Formula 1 may not be able to replace terminated contracts with contracts on similar terms or at all or renegotiate contracts on terms that are as favorable to us. Formula 1’s ability to renew, replace or renegotiate its contracts on similar terms, or at all, is dependent on a number of factors which Formula 1 may not be able to control or predict including the popularity of Formula 1, the value of live sports rights generally, relevant regulations, economic conditions in the relevant countries and the spending capacity and priorities of Formula 1’s counterparties. Additionally, many of Formula 1’s race promotion and media rights contracts are directly or indirectly with, or guaranteed by, governmental bodies or agencies and a change in their spending capacity or priorities could impact Formula 1’s negotiations with them. A failure to renew, replace or renegotiate Formula 1’s existing contracts on similar or improved terms could result in, among other things, the cancellation of an Event, the payments Formula 1 receives decreasing, the term of the contracts being shortened, termination rights being granted to Formula 1’s counterparties and other contractual terms and conditions being introduced which could materially and adversely affect Formula 1’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, and in turn could materially adversely impact the Formula One Group.
Formula 1 is exposed to credit-related losses in the event of non-performance by counterparties to Formula 1’s key commercial contracts.
Future payments under Formula 1’s core commercial contracts, including Formula 1’s race promotion, media rights and sponsorship contracts are typically made periodically over the course of several years. Formula 1’s ability to
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generate cash flow is heavily dependent on collecting amounts owed to it under these contracts. A change in the credit quality of one or more of Formula 1’s counterparties over the term of their contract with Formula 1 may increase the risk of non-payment. Certain of Formula 1’s counterparties are directly or indirectly governments or agencies thereof, some of which have recently experienced a deterioration in their credit quality. Formula 1 may also generally experience difficulties or be unable to recover payments owed to it by governments or agencies thereof because of their sovereign or semi-sovereign status. Additionally, an appreciation of the U.S. dollar against the functional currencies of Formula 1’s counterparties increases the risk of non-payment. See “-Fluctuations in the value of the U.S. dollar against the functional currencies of Formula 1’s business and Formula 1’s counterparties’ business could adversely affect Formula 1’s profitability and the Formula One Group.” The failure of one or more of Formula 1’s counterparties to pay outstanding amounts owed to it could have a material adverse effect on Formula 1’s cash flows and results of operation, and in turn could materially adversely impact the Formula One Group.
Potential challenges by tax authorities in the jurisdictions in which Formula 1 operates could adversely affect Formula 1’s financial results and position and in turn, the Formula One Group.
Formula 1’s taxes are based upon the applicable tax laws and tax rates in effect in the jurisdictions in which it operates and upon the nature of Formula 1’s business arrangements and activities with and in such jurisdictions. When computing its tax obligations in these jurisdictions, Formula 1 endeavors to apply national and international tax rules consistently and in accordance with generally accepted interpretations and practice. However, such rules, and their application to Formula 1’s business, may not be entirely clear in all cases and may be interpreted differently by the applicable tax authorities. There can be no assurance that, upon review of Formula 1’s positions, the applicable tax authorities will agree with such positions. If a tax authority successfully challenges Formula 1’s positions with respect to its business arrangements, intercompany pricing policies, or the taxable presence of subsidiaries in certain jurisdictions, or if Formula 1 loses a material tax dispute in any jurisdiction, then Formula 1 may be exposed to additional tax liabilities and penalties, which may adversely affect its financial condition, results of operations and prospects, and in turn may materially adversely impact the Formula One Group.
Changes in tax laws could adversely affect Formula 1 and the Formula One Group.
Formula 1 operates in various jurisdictions and is subject to changes in applicable tax laws, treaties or regulations in those jurisdictions. A material change in the tax laws, treaties or regulations, or their interpretation, of any jurisdiction with which Formula 1 does business, or in which Formula 1 has significant operations, could adversely affect Formula 1.
For example, during October 2021, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (the “OECD”) announced that 136 countries and tax jurisdictions had agreed to implement a new “Two Pillar” approach to international taxation. Numerous countries have now enacted, or are in the process of enacting, new legislation consistent with this approach, which took effect for the first time in 2024. More countries have committed to introduce similar legislation, at different times and in different ways, through their individual agreement to tax treaty changes and through changes to their own domestic tax laws.
The first of the OECD’s “pillars” establishes a new taxing right for countries in which a business has a significant economic presence, even though it may not have the degree of physical presence in that country needed to establish a taxing right under existing tax treaties. This new taxing right is subject to several conditions, exclusions and exceptions, and will initially affect only multinational enterprises with global turnover above 20 billion euros.
The second pillar establishes a Global Minimum Tax Rate of 15%, such that multinational enterprises with an effective tax rate in a jurisdiction below this minimum rate will need to pay additional tax, which could be collected by the parent company’s tax authorities or by those in other countries, depending on whether and how each country implements the OECD’s approach in its tax treaties and domestic tax legislation. In an initial transition period from 2024 to 2026, enterprises are exempt from this additional tax if certain “Safe Harbour” tests are met.
Depending on how the jurisdictions in which Formula 1 operates, and those in which Liberty and its subsidiaries are based, choose to implement the OECD’s approach in their tax treaties and domestic tax laws, and depending on the
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future evolution of the OECD’s “Two Pillar” approach, Formula 1 could be adversely affected due to its income being taxed at higher effective rates.
Formula 1 may face difficulties expanding into new markets, including as a result of being unable to attract race promoters for new Events.
Formula 1 has recently staged Events in a number of new markets and intends to explore further opportunities for expansion. Attracting the relevant race promoters to the World Championship in these markets on terms that are attractive to Formula 1 will be largely dependent on the popularity of the Formula 1 brand in these markets and Formula 1’s perceived ability to deliver the benefits that race promoters desire, such as publicity for the host city/region, economic impact or tourism. See “-There could be a decline in the popularity of Formula 1 which may have a material adverse effect on Formula 1’s ability to exploit its commercial rights to the World Championship.” Additionally, Formula 1 may have difficulties entering into agreements with race promoters that have the necessary resources and experience to obtain all the necessary FIA, governmental and sporting approvals and successfully stage an Event. Events in new markets also require significant investments in circuit infrastructure and other administrative costs by Formula 1’s race promoters which may not be recouped and may generate fees below those received from Formula 1’s Events staged in more developed markets. In addition, 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. See “Item 1. Business-Formula 1-Key Commercial Agreements-Key Provisions.” Also, under the 100-Year Agreements as amended by the 2013 Concorde Implementation Agreement, Formula 1 must obtain the FIA’s approval to stage more than 25 Events (or beginning in 2031, more than 17 Events unless the FIA and Formula 1 make a new agreement on this point), and there is no assurance such approval will be obtained.
Formula 1’s business is subject to laws and regulations including with respect to advertising, media rights and the environment, and changes in and judicial interpretations of such laws and regulations could have a material adverse effect on Formula 1 and the Formula One Group.
Formula 1’s business is subject to laws and regulations including advertising, media rights, environmental and health and safety laws and regulations. Such regimes are subject to periodic governmental review, legislative initiatives and judicial interpretations, any of which could adversely affect Formula 1’s business and its profitability. A substantial part of Formula 1’s, broadcasters’ and the Teams’ revenue come from sponsorship contracts. If new restrictions or bans on advertising specific products or services which are advertised in Formula 1 are introduced, it may reduce Formula 1’s or the Teams’ sponsorship revenue or advertising revenue of Formula 1’s broadcasters, which in turn may reduce the value of Formula 1’s media rights contracts and impact the Teams’ desire to continue participating in Formula 1. For example, advertising of alcohol is restricted in certain countries where Events are held. Advertising laws could also be introduced which prevent the broadcast of images which include a restricted brand, thereby preventing Formula 1 from licensing the television rights in an affected country. Additionally, as Formula 1 expands into new markets, local customs, practices and cultural sensitivities may require Formula 1 and the Teams to restrict advertising of certain products even if not required by law.
Broadcasting laws could be introduced which require that Events be broadcast only on free-to-air television which would prevent Formula 1 from entering into pay television contracts in the relevant jurisdiction. Additionally, judicial decisions or other governmental action could interfere with the manner in which Formula 1 exploits its media rights, including in relation to Formula 1’s segmentation of such rights among different geographic regions.
Environmental laws could also be introduced which place limits on engine design and Event activities. Motor sport has also been banned in certain countries. For example, Switzerland banned motor sport from 1955 to 2007 following an accident at the 24 Hours of Le Mans that killed spectators and a driver. A ban on motor sport in any country where Formula 1 holds an Event could result in a reduction in Formula 1’s revenue and as a consequence, may materially and adversely affect Formula 1’s business, financial condition and prospects, which in turn may materially adversely impact the Formula One Group.
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Events beyond Formula 1’s control may cause one or more Events to be cancelled or postponed or prevent Formula 1 from providing an international television feed, each of which could result in the loss of revenue under Formula 1’s commercial contracts.
An Event may have to be postponed or cancelled, or Formula 1 may be unable to provide an international television feed of an Event, due to factors beyond its control, including an inability to transport Formula 1’s and the Teams’ equipment to an Event, power failures, natural disasters or extreme weather, geopolitical conditions or international conflicts, parties to Formula 1 race promotion contracts terminating those contracts, embargoes or sanctions, cancellation of large-scale public events by a competent authority due to a security or terrorism risk, or outbreak of disease, which could result in the loss of revenue under Formula 1’s commercial contracts. Most recently, the 2023 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix was cancelled due to severe flooding in the region. Additionally, the 2022 Russian Grand Prix was cancelled due to circumstances arising from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. During the 2021 and 2020 seasons, a number of Events were cancelled and/or replaced due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a general matter, Formula 1’s insurance policies do not cover the cancellation of an Event. Whether a race promoter is required to pay Formula 1 the race promotion fee with respect to an Event that is cancelled due to any factor beyond the control of Formula 1 depends on the terms and provisions of the applicable promoter agreement. In addition, Formula 1’s broadcast contracts include a provision to reduce the fee payable to Formula 1 if there are fewer than a specified number of Events in a season for reasons other than a force majeure event. The minimum number of Events varies by broadcast contract but is typically between 14 and 16 Events. However, if an Event were to be cancelled due to the race promoter failing to meet its obligations under the race promotion contract, then Formula 1 may be entitled to indemnification from the race promoter for any lost media rights revenue. If an Event is not held, cancelled or does not receive international television coverage (for example, as a result of a technical problem), Formula 1’s fees under the relevant sponsorship contract are likely to be reduced unless the sponsorship contract allows Formula 1 to substitute another Event for the cancelled Event and Formula 1 does so. If an Event is cancelled, Formula 1 will also be required to refund amounts paid under other arrangements, including amounts paid for tickets to the Paddock Club, the principal high end corporate hospitality offering at certain Event weekends.
Accidents during Events may cause losses that are not covered by insurance, disrupt an Event and cause Formula 1 reputational damage.
Racing accidents occur in Formula 1 and its support races. The last racing accident to cause the death of a driver was in 2019 during a Formula 2 support race at the Belgian Grand Prix and there have also been two fatalities involving race marshals since 1994. Fatal accidents, particularly if they involve public spectators, could damage the reputation of Formula 1 and decrease its popularity, any of which could have a material adverse effect on Formula 1. Accidents can also result in the cancellation of a practice, a qualifying session or a race. Additionally, persons harmed in any accident could seek compensation from Formula 1. Formula 1 and its promoters purchase insurance coverage for each Event. However, there can be no assurance that such insurance policies will provide adequate coverage at all times and in all circumstances. If Formula 1 is held liable for damages beyond the scope of the insurance coverage available to Formula 1 (including the insurance contract procured by the race promoter to include coverage for Formula 1), Formula 1’s business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected, which in turn could materially adversely affect the Formula One Group.
Terrorist acts during Events may cause Formula 1 damage and losses that are not covered by insurance.
Formula 1 is a high profile sport with a global fan base and Events are attended by a large number of spectators. An Event, like any other major sporting event, could be the target of an actual or threatened terrorist act, either of which could disrupt Formula 1 and lead to the cancellation of Events, increase security requirements and result in a decline of spectator attendance at Events. Additionally, persons harmed in any terrorist act may attempt to seek compensation from Formula 1. The general risk of a terror attack has increased recently in a number of the countries in which Events are held. Formula 1 purchases annual insurance policies covering all Events, and individual race promoters purchase insurance coverage for their own Events under which Formula 1 is also covered, which provide coverage for third party liability covering personal injury, equipment and property damage. However, there can be no assurance that this insurance will be adequate at all times and in all circumstances. Terrorism is expressly excluded from the public liability coverage arranged by the race promoters, although Formula 1’s own insurance policies cover both its broadcast and Event systems equipment and its employer and public liabilities exposures for terrorism risks. However, attacks involving an active assailant are not
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covered by insurance policies for terrorism, and would require supplemental coverage. If Formula 1 is held liable for damages beyond the scope of the insurance coverage (its own and that arranged by the race promoter) and/or is unable to obtain indemnification from the relevant insurer(s), Formula 1’s business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected, which in turn could materially adversely affect the Formula One Group.
Rival motor sport events could be established involving existing Teams or different teams, or existing Teams may divert their resources to participate in another motor sport event, which could lead to fewer Teams and race circuits being involved in Formula 1, or a Team’s primary engagement in motor sport being in another motor sport event, either of which could diminish the competitive position of Formula 1.
In the future, it is possible that a rival motor racing series similar to Formula 1 could be established, involving existing Teams and/or different teams or an existing motor sport event could become more popular and become a rival series to Formula 1. Such a rival series could lead to fewer Teams and race circuits in Formula 1, reduce the budget that a Team is willing to spend on its participation in Formula 1, or diminish the competitive position of Formula 1 and have a material adverse effect on Formula 1’s results of operations and business and the Formula One Group. In addition, certain of Formula 1’s commercial contracts could be terminated if Formula 1 ceased to be the premier motor racing series for open wheel single-seater cars. Pursuant to the 2021 Concorde Agreement, each of the 10 Teams have committed to participate in the World Championship until December 31, 2025. If a rival motor racing series is established (or if an existing series develops into a rival series), this may reduce the popularity of Formula 1 leading to a decline in the value of Formula 1’s commercial contracts which may materially adversely affect Formula 1’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, and in turn may materially adversely affect the Formula One Group. See “-There could be a decline in the popularity of Formula 1 which may have a material adverse effect on Formula 1’s ability to exploit its commercial rights to the World Championship” and “-Teams may, in certain circumstances, terminate their existing commitment to participate in the World Championship until (and including) 2025 or breach their obligations and withdraw.”
Changes in consumer viewing habits and the emergence of new content distribution platforms could adversely affect Formula 1’s business and the Formula One Group.
The manner in which consumers view televised sporting events is changing rapidly with the emergence of alternative distribution platforms. Digital cable, internet and wireless content providers are continuing to improve technologies, content offerings, user interface and business models that allow consumers to access video-on-demand or internet-based tools with interactive capabilities including start, stop and rewind. Formula 1’s exclusive commercial rights place no limits on the platforms on which it can operate, including online. However, such developments may impact the profitability or effectiveness of Formula 1’s existing licensing practices and there is no guarantee that Formula 1 will be successful in adapting its licensing practices and/or media platform as consumer viewing habits change. If Formula 1 is unsuccessful in adapting its licensing practices and/or media platform as consumer viewing habits change, Formula 1’s viewership levels (whether on traditional or new platforms) may decrease and/or its licensing practices may become less profitable leading to the possibility of a reduction in the value of its media rights and sponsorship contracts. Any reduction in the value of Formula 1’s commercial rights and/or contracts may materially and adversely affect its revenue, business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, which in turn may materially adversely affect the Formula One Group. While Formula 1’s monetization of its television rights has increased in recent years, there can be no assurance that such increases will continue or that Formula 1’s level of such monetization will be comparable to that of other sporting events.
If confidential information regarding Formula 1’s business arrangements is disclosed or leaked, it could affect Formula 1’s relationships with counterparties and/or Teams and result in less favorable commercial contracts and adversely affect Formula 1’s business and the Formula One Group.
The success of Formula 1’s business depends on maintaining good relationships with Formula 1’s counterparties (including race promoters, broadcasters and sponsors) and the Teams and entering into race promotion, media rights, sponsorship and other commercial contracts on favorable terms. If confidential information regarding Formula 1’s business arrangements with its counterparties and/or the Teams were to be disclosed or leaked, it could harm Formula 1’s relationships with those parties and result in less favorable terms in its commercial contracts, including with respect to
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pricing and adversely affect its business, results of operation, financial condition and prospects, which in turn could materially adversely affect the Formula One Group.
Formula 1 depends on trademarks, copyrights and intellectual property.
Formula 1 relies on certain trademarks, copyrights and other intellectual property to protect its rights, including its brands, logos and television footage. The existence of complex factual and legal issues may give rise to uncertainty as to the validity or subsistence, scope and enforceability of a particular trademark, copyright or other intellectual property or contractual right in a particular jurisdiction. While historically Formula 1 has been widely transmitted by free-to-air television which reduced its attractiveness as a target for piracy and other infringement, Formula 1 is increasingly transmitted by pay TV operators that are greater targets for piracy. In any event, Formula 1’s intellectual property, and in particular the Formula 1 brand (including the logo) and television footage are potential targets for counterfeiting, piracy and other infringement. New technologies such as the convergence of computing, communication, and entertainment devices, the falling prices of devices incorporating such technologies, increased broadband internet speed and penetration and increased availability and speed of mobile data transmission have made the unauthorized digital pirating and distribution of televised sporting events easier and faster and enforcement of intellectual property rights more challenging. The unauthorized use of intellectual property in the entertainment industry generally continues to be a significant challenge for intellectual property rights holders. If Formula 1 is unsuccessful in preventing widespread piracy and illegal live streaming of Events in the future, these activities could result in lost revenue and a reduction in the value of Formula 1’s media rights which may materially and adversely affect Formula 1’s business, results of operation, financial condition and prospects, and in turn may materially adversely affect the Formula One Group. Further, the availability of certain artificial intelligence tools could facilitate the creation of infringing works based on the unauthorized use of our and our business affiliates’ intellectual property. The legal landscape for some new technologies, including some artificial intelligence tools remains uncertain, and development of the law in this area could impact our and our business affiliates’ intellectual property.
Formula 1’s processing, storing, sharing, use, disclosure and protection of personal data could give rise to liabilities as a result of governmental regulation, conflicting legal requirements and policies or differing views of personal privacy rights.
Formula 1 receives, transmits and stores a large volume of personal data and other user data, primarily in the processing of consumer transactions and managing its employees. The processing, storage, sharing, use, disclosure and protection of this information are governed by the privacy and data security policies maintained by Formula 1. Moreover, there are federal, state and international laws regarding privacy and the processing, storage, sharing, use, disclosure and protection of personal data and user data. Specifically, personal data is increasingly subject to legislation and regulations, in numerous jurisdictions around the world, which are intended to protect the privacy of personal data that is collected, processed and transmitted in or from the governing jurisdiction. Compliance with these laws and regulations may be onerous and expensive and may be inconsistent from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, further increasing the cost of compliance. For example, the European Court of Justice in 2015 invalidated the U.S.-EU Safe Harbor Framework, which facilitated personal data transfers to the U.S. in compliance with applicable European data protection laws. The E.U.-U.S. Privacy Shield, which replaced the U.S.-E.U. Safe Harbor Framework, and became fully operational in 2016, provided a mechanism to comply with data protection requirements when transferring personal data from the European Union (“E.U.”) to the U.S. On July 16, 2020, the Court of Justice of the European Union invalidated the E.U.-U.S. Privacy Shield, and imposed new obligations on the use of standard contractual clauses (“SCCs”) - another key mechanism to allow data transfers between the U.S. and the E.U.
The E.C. adopted revised SCCs on June 4, 2021. In October 2024, the E.C. announced a consultation regarding new SCCs, which may be adopted in final form in 2025. In March 2022, the U.S. and the E.C. announced a new Transatlantic Data Privacy Framework (“DPF”) to replace the E.U.-U.S. Privacy Shield. On December 13, 2022, the E.C. issued an adequacy decision initiating the formal adoption process for the DPF and the E.U. formally adopted the adequacy decision on July 10, 2023. The U.S. and the E.U. implemented the DPF in July 2023. Further, the General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”), which became effective in 2018, gives consumers in the E.U. additional rights and imposes additional restrictions and penalties on companies for illegal collection and misuse of personal data. The timing of enactment of the E.U.’s proposed ePrivacy Regulation, which, among other things, would adopt additional regulation of
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“cookies” and other internet tracking tools, is uncertain. Following the U.K.’s withdrawal from the E.U. (“Brexit”), on June 28, 2021, the E.C. determined that the U.K.’s data protection laws essentially are equivalent to data protection laws in the European Economic Area. As a result, personal data transfers from the E.U. to the U.K. may continue without a new data transfer framework.
California has enacted the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (“CCPA”), which, among other things, allows California consumers to request that certain companies disclose the types of personal information collected by such companies. The CCPA became effective on January 1, 2020. The California Attorney General has issued draft implementing regulations and guidance regarding the CCPA and undertook enforcement actions in 2024 regarding violations of the law. In November 2020, California voters approved the California Privacy Rights Act of 2020 (“CPRA”), which amends and expands the CCPA and establishes the California Privacy Protection Agency (“CPPA”) to implement and enforce consumer privacy laws. Regulations under the CPRA became effective in March 2023. The CPPA also proposed new regulations in November 2024 that would require companies to conduct risk assessment, annual cybersecurity audits and set up notice and opt-out and access procedures for the use of automated decision-making technology. These proposed new requirements could increase Formula 1’s costs of compliance and impact its operations and the products and services it offers. Since the enactment of the CCPA, 19 additional states have enacted comprehensive privacy legislation.
In addition to broad consumer privacy laws, states in the U.S. are enacting and may continue to enact sectoral-specific privacy laws focused on health data, data about people under the age of 18, biometric data, the use of algorithms by organizations, and other matters. In addition to the increasing adoption of privacy laws by governments, other platforms where Formula 1 operates (including social media platforms) may have separate policies that limit its use of personal information that Formula 1 collects through its operations on such platforms, either now or in the future. Private litigants are also using federal and state laws to pursue litigation related to the use of personal data, video content, chat tools and other communication tools, and trackers commonly used by organizations in the operation of consumer-facing websites and applications. Formula 1’s failure, and/or the failure by the various third party vendors and service providers with which it does business, to comply with applicable privacy policies or federal, state or similar international laws and regulations, or changes in applicable laws and regulations, or changes in the policies of third party platforms where Formula 1 conducts business, or any compromise of security that results in the unauthorized release of personal identifiable information or other user data could damage its reputation and the reputation of its third party vendors and service providers, discourage potential fans, result in fines and/or proceedings by governmental agencies and/or fans and/or result in limits on Formula 1’s use of personal information it uses in the operation of its business, any one or all of which could adversely affect Formula 1’s business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, Formula 1 may not have adequate insurance coverage to compensate for losses.
The terms of Formula 1’s indebtedness may limit its financial and operating flexibility.
Covenants contained in the agreements governing Formula 1’s credit facilities will restrict the ability of its subsidiaries to, among other things:
● incur or guarantee additional indebtedness or be a creditor in respect of financial indebtedness;
● pay dividends, redeem their share capital, purchase capital stock, make investments or other restricted payments;
● make any payment in respect, or on account of, indebtedness owing to Liberty or certain of its affiliates;
● in certain circumstances, make any payment or distribution in respect, or on account of, intra-group debt;
● issue or sell capital stock;
● acquire assets or make investments;
● sell assets (including capital stock of subsidiaries);
● create liens;
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● enter into sale and leaseback or finance lease transactions;
● acquire an interest in or invest in any joint venture;
● enter into transactions with shareholders or affiliates except on arm’s length terms for full market value, including in relation to the provision of goods or services;
● enter into any contractual or similar restriction which restricts their ability to pay dividends or other distributions, make intra-group loan repayments, loan repayments or loans;
● effect a consolidation or merger;
● amend material commercial contracts; and
● enter into derivative transactions in respect of exposures which are unconnected to Formula 1’s credit facilities.
Formula 1 may also be required to repay its credit facilities upon the occurrence of certain events and Formula 1 cannot give any assurance that it will be able to finance such a repayment. Failure to comply with an obligation to repay the credit facilities would result in an event of default which could have a material adverse effect on Formula 1 and the Formula One Group.
These restrictive covenants could limit Formula 1’s ability to pursue Formula 1’s growth plans, restrict Formula 1’s flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in Formula 1’s business and industry and increase Formula 1’s vulnerability to adverse economic and industry conditions. Formula 1 may enter into additional financing arrangements in the future, which could further restrict Formula 1’s flexibility.
Fluctuations in the value of the U.S. dollar against the functional currencies of Formula 1’s business and Formula 1’s counterparties’ business could adversely affect Formula 1’s profitability and the Formula One Group.
In 2024, a significant proportion of Formula 1’s revenue and costs were denominated in U.S. dollars. Formula 1 also operates in a number of other currencies, most notably the pound sterling and Euro. There may be a mismatch between the amount of a local currency Formula 1 generates in revenue and incurs in expenses. Our financial statements translate local currency transactions into U.S. dollars. Formula 1 occasionally uses derivatives to hedge its exposure to more significant foreign currency risk. There is no assurance that such measures will be successful and fluctuations in the value of the U.S. dollar against Formula 1’s functional currencies could affect its profitability. Additionally, most payments Formula 1 receives from Formula 1’s counterparties under Formula 1’s commercial contracts are denominated in U.S. dollars while their revenue is typically denominated in other currencies, most notably the Euro or the local currency in the country where the relevant Event is held. An appreciation of the U.S. dollar, against the functional currencies of Formula 1’s counterparties whose revenue is denominated in a currency other than U.S. dollars, increases the cost of their payments to Formula 1 in their functional currencies and the risk that they will not make their payments to Formula 1 or cause them to request Formula 1 to enter into a new contract with such counterparty, which could affect Formula 1’s profitability and financial position, and in turn could impact the Formula One Group. See “-Formula 1 is exposed to credit-related losses in the event of non-performance by counterparties to Formula 1’s key commercial contracts.”
The Teams have certain governance rights under the 2021 Concorde Agreement that may limit or, at a minimum, influence actions that Liberty may seek to cause Formula 1 to take.
The Teams are entitled to certain consent rights under the 2021 Concorde Agreement, including in relation to the number of Events in a season exceeding 24 or if there are fewer than eight Events across Europe and North America combined and the introduction of new sporting and technical regulations applying to the World Championship. The interests or opinions of the Teams with regard to certain actions proposed to be taken by Formula 1 may differ from those of Liberty. In such event, the Teams may be able to block these actions.
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Risks Relating to the Liberty Live Group
We do not have the right to manage our business affiliate, Live Nation, which means we are not able to cause it to operate in a manner that is favorable to us.
We do not have the right to manage the businesses or affairs of our business affiliate Live Nation. Rather, our rights take the form of representation on the board of directors and board committees of Live Nation. Although our board representation rights may enable us to exercise influence over the management or policies of Live Nation, such representation will not enable us to cause Live Nation to take any actions we believe are favorable to us (such as paying dividends or distributions).
Our equity method investment in Live Nation may have a material impact on net earnings of Liberty and the Liberty Live Group.
We have a significant investment in Live Nation that is attributed to the Liberty Live Group, which we account for under the equity method of accounting. Under the equity method, we report our proportionate share of the net earnings or losses of our equity affiliates in our statement of operations under “share of earnings (losses) of affiliates,” which contributes to our earnings (loss) before income taxes. Due to the impact of COVID-19, Live Nation recorded significant losses during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. If the earnings or losses of Live Nation are material in any year, those earnings or losses may have a material effect on our net earnings or losses and those attributed to the Liberty Live Group. Notwithstanding the impact on our net earnings or losses and those attributed to the Liberty Live Group, we do not have the ability to cause Live Nation to pay dividends or make other payments or advances to its stockholders, including us. In addition, our investment in Live Nation is in publicly traded securities, which is not reflected at fair value on our balance sheet and is subject to market risk that is not directly reflected in our statement of operations.
Live Nation’s business is highly sensitive to public tastes and is dependent on its ability to secure popular artists and other live music events, and Live Nation and its ticketing clients may be unable to anticipate or respond to changes in consumer preferences, which may result in decreased demand for its services.
Live Nation’s business is highly sensitive to rapidly changing public tastes and is dependent on the availability of popular artists and events. Live Nation’s live entertainment business depends in part on its ability to anticipate the tastes of consumers and to offer events that appeal to them. Since Live Nation relies on unrelated parties to create and perform at live music events, any unwillingness to tour or lack of availability of popular artists could limit its ability to generate revenue. In particular, there are a limited number of artists that can headline a major North American or global tour or who can sell out larger venues, including many of Live Nation’s amphitheaters. If those artists do not choose to tour, or if Live Nation is unable to secure the rights to their future tours, then its concerts business would be adversely affected. Live Nation’s artist management business could be adversely affected if the artists it represents do not tour or perform as frequently as anticipated, or if such tours or performances are not as widely attended by fans as anticipated due to changing tastes, general economic conditions or otherwise. Live Nation’s ticketing business relies on third parties to create and perform live entertainment, sporting and leisure events and to price tickets to such events. Accordingly, Live Nation’s ticketing business’ success depends, in part, upon the ability of these third parties to correctly anticipate public demand for particular events, as well as the availability of popular artists, entertainers and teams.
In addition, Live Nation’s live entertainment business typically books its live music tours four to eight months in advance of the beginning of the tour and often agrees to pay an artist a fixed guaranteed amount prior to receiving any revenue. Therefore, if the public is not receptive to the tour, or Live Nation or an artist cancel the tour, Live Nation may incur a loss for the tour depending on the amount of the fixed guarantee or incurred costs relative to any revenue earned, as well as revenue Live Nation could have earned at booked venues. Live Nation has cancellation insurance policies in place to cover a portion of its losses if an artist cancels a tour but such policies may not be sufficient and are subject to deductibles. Furthermore, consumer preferences change from time to time, and Live Nation’s failure to anticipate, identify or react to these changes could result in reduced demand for its services, which would adversely affect its business, financial condition and results of operations.
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Live Nation’s business depends on relationships between key promoters, executives, agents, managers, artists and clients and any adverse changes in these relationships could adversely affect Live Nation’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
The live music business is uniquely dependent upon personal relationships, as promoters and executives within live music companies such as Live Nation’s leverage their existing network of relationships with artists, agents and managers in order to secure the rights to the live music tours and events which are critical to Live Nation’s success. Due to the importance of those industry contacts to Live Nation’s business, the loss of any of its promoters, officers or other key personnel could adversely affect its business. Although Live Nation has entered into long-term agreements with many of those individuals described above to protect its interests in those relationships, Live Nation can give no assurance that all or any of those key employees or managers will remain with it or will retain their associations with key business contacts, including music artists, as some agreements between a manager and an artist are not for a fixed period of time and are instead terminable at will.
The success of Live Nation’s ticketing business depends, in significant part, on its ability to maintain and renew relationships with existing clients and to establish new client relationships. Live Nation anticipates that, for the foreseeable future, the substantial majority of its ticketing segment revenue will be derived from both online and mobile sales of tickets. Live Nation also expects that revenue from primary ticketing services, which consists primarily of its portion of per ticket convenience charges and per order service fees, will continue to comprise the substantial majority of its ticketing segment revenue. Live Nation cannot provide assurances that it will be able to maintain existing client contracts, or enter into or maintain new client contracts, on acceptable terms, if at all, and the failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on Live Nation’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
Another important component of Live Nation’s success is its ability to maintain existing and to build new relationships with third-party distribution channels, advertisers, sponsors and service providers. Any adverse change in those relationships, including the inability of those parties to fulfill their obligations to Live Nation’s businesses for any reason, could adversely affect its business, financial condition and results of operations.
Live Nation faces intense competition in the live music and ticketing industries, and it may not be able to maintain or increase its current revenue, which could adversely affect its business, financial condition and results of operations.
Live Nation’s businesses are in highly competitive industries, and it may not be able to maintain or increase its current revenue due to such competition. The live music industry competes with other forms of entertainment for consumers’ discretionary spending and within this industry Live Nation competes with other venues to book artists, and, in the markets in which it promotes music concerts, it faces competition from other promoters and venue operators. Live Nation’s competitors compete with it for key employees who have relationships with popular music artists and who have a history of being able to book such artists for concerts and tours. These competitors may engage in more extensive development efforts, undertake more far-reaching marketing campaigns, adopt more aggressive pricing policies and make more attractive offers to existing and potential artists. Due to increasing artist influence and competition to attract and maintain artist clients, Live Nation may enter into agreements on terms that are less favorable to it, which could negatively impact its financial results. Live Nation’s competitors may develop services, advertising options or music venues that are equal or superior to those Live Nation provides or that achieve greater market acceptance and brand recognition than Live Nation achieves. Within the live music industry, Live Nation’s artist management business also competes with numerous other artist management companies and individual managers in the United States alone, both to discover new and emerging artists and to represent established artists. Across the live music industry, it is possible that new competitors may emerge and rapidly acquire significant market share.
Live Nation’s ticketing business faces significant competition from other national, regional and local primary ticketing service providers to secure new and retain existing clients on a continuous basis. Additionally, it faces significant and increasing challenges from companies that sell self-ticketing systems and from clients who choose to self-ticket, through the integration of such systems into their existing operations or the acquisition of primary ticket services providers or by increasing sales through venue box offices and season and subscription sales. Live Nation also faces competition in the resale of tickets from resale marketplaces and from other ticket resellers with online distribution capabilities. The advent of new technology, particularly as it relates to online ticketing, has amplified this competition. The intense
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competition that Live Nation faces in the ticketing industry could cause the volume of our ticketing services business to decline. As Live Nation is also a content provider and venue operator it may face direct competition with its prospective or current primary ticketing clients, who primarily include live event content providers. This direct competition with Live Nation’s prospective or current primary ticketing clients could result in a decline in the number of ticketing clients it has and a decline in the volume of its ticketing business, which could adversely affect Live Nation’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
In the secondary ticket sales market, Live Nation has restrictions on its business that are not faced by its competitors, imposed as a result of agreements entered into with the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”), the Attorneys General of several individual states, and various international governing bodies. These restrictions include: a requirement to clearly and conspicuously disclose on any primary ticketing website where a link or redirect to a resale website owned or controlled by Live Nation is posted, that the link is directing the user to a resale website and that ticket prices often exceed the ticket’s original price; and a requirement to make certain clear and conspicuous disclosures and in certain instances disclose when a ticket being offered for resale is not “in-hand” as well as a requirement to monitor and enforce the compliance of third parties offering tickets on Live Nation’s websites with such disclosure requirements. There are certain state laws that now ban such speculative ticket listings, and the New York Attorney General has in the past brought lawsuits against resale companies for these practices; Live Nation does not, however, allow the use of such speculative ticketing practices on its websites.
Other variables related to the competitive environment that could adversely affect Live Nation’s financial performance by, among other things, leading to decreases in overall revenue, the number of sponsors, event attendance, ticket prices and fees or profit margins include:
● an increased level of competition for advertising dollars, which may lead to lower sponsorships as Live Nation attempts to retain advertisers or which may cause it to lose advertisers to its competitors offering better programs that Live Nation is unable or unwilling to match;
● unfavorable fluctuations in operating costs, including increased guarantees to artists, which Live Nation may be unwilling or unable to pass through to its customers via higher ticket prices;
● inability or unwillingness to fund the significant up-front cash requirements associated with Live Nation’s touring and ticketing businesses due to insufficient cash on hand or capacity under its senior secured credit facility, which could result in the loss of key tours to competitors or the inability to secure and retain ticketing clients;
● competitors’ offerings that may include more favorable terms than Live Nation does in order to obtain agreements for new venues or ticketing arrangements or to obtain events for the venues they operate;
● technological changes and innovations that Live Nation is unable to adopt or are late in adopting that offer more attractive entertainment alternatives than it or other live entertainment providers currently offer, which may lead to a reduction in attendance at live events, a loss of ticket sales or lower ticket fees; and
● other entertainment options available to Live Nation’s audiences that it does not offer.
The success of Live Nation’s ticketing business and other operations depends, in part, on the integrity of its systems and infrastructure, as well as affiliate and third-party computer systems, computer networks and other communication systems. System interruption and the lack of integration and redundancy in these systems and infrastructure may have an adverse impact on Live Nation’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
System interruption and the lack of integration and redundancy in the information systems and infrastructure, both of Live Nation’s own ticketing systems and other computer systems and of affiliate and third-party software, computer networks and other communications systems service providers on which it relies, may adversely affect its ability to operate websites, process and fulfill transactions, respond to customer inquiries and generally maintain cost-efficient operations. Such interruptions could occur by virtue of natural disaster, malicious actions such as hacking or acts of terrorism or war, or human error. In addition, the loss of some or all of certain key personnel could require Live Nation to expend additional resources to continue to maintain its software and systems and could subject it to systems interruptions. The large
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infrastructure plant that is required to operate Live Nation’s systems requires an ongoing investment of time, money and effort to maintain or refresh hardware and software and to ensure it remains at a level capable of servicing the demand and volume of business that Ticketmaster receives. Failure to do so may result in system instability, degradation in performance, or unfixable security vulnerabilities that could adversely impact both the business and the consumers utilizing its services.
While Live Nation has backup systems for certain aspects of its operations, disaster recovery planning by its nature cannot be sufficient for all eventualities. In addition, Live Nation may not have adequate insurance coverage to compensate for losses from a major interruption. If any of these adverse events were to occur, it could adversely affect Live Nation’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
Data loss or other breaches of Live Nation’s network security could materially harm its business and results of operations, and the processing, storage, use and disclosure of personal or sensitive information could give rise to liabilities and additional costs as a result of governmental regulation, litigation and conflicting legal requirements relating to personal privacy rights.
Due to the nature of Live Nation’s business, it processes, stores, uses, transfers and discloses certain personal or sensitive information about its customers and employees. Penetration of its network or other misappropriation or misuse of personal or sensitive information and data, including credit card information and other personally identifiable information, could cause interruptions in Live Nation’s operations and subject it to increased costs, litigation, inquiries and actions from governmental authorities, and financial or other liabilities. In addition, security breaches, incidents or the inability to protect information could lead to increased incidents of ticketing fraud and counterfeit tickets. Security breaches and incidents could also significantly damage its reputation with consumers, ticketing clients and other third parties, and could result in significant costs related to remediation efforts, such as credit or identity theft monitoring.
Although Live Nation has developed systems and processes that are designed to protect customer and employee information and to prevent security breaches or incidents (which could result in data loss or other harm or loss), such measures cannot provide absolute security or certainty. It is possible that advances in computer and hacker capabilities, new variants of malware, the development of new penetration methods and tools, inadvertent violations of company policies or procedures or other developments could result in a compromise of customer or employee information or a breach of the technology and security processes that are used to protect customer and employee information. The techniques used to obtain unauthorized access, automate or expedite transactions or other activities on its platform, disable or degrade service or sabotage systems (or otherwise bring about one or more of these effects) may change frequently and as a result, may be difficult for its business to detect for long periods of time and may impact the efficacy of its defenses and/or the products and services Live Nation provides. In addition, despite Live Nation’s best efforts, Live Nation may be unaware of or unable to anticipate these techniques or implement adequate preventative measures. Live Nation has expended significant capital and other resources to protect against and remedy such potential security breaches, incidents and their consequences, including the establishment of a dedicated cybersecurity organization within its larger technology environment, and will continue to do so in the future.
Live Nation also face risks associated with security breaches and incidents affecting third parties with which it is affiliated or with which we otherwise conduct business. In particular, hardware, software or applications it develops or procures from third parties may contain, and have contained, defects in design or manufacture and/or may pose a security risk that could unexpectedly compromise information security, but none of which have been material to date. Consumers are generally concerned with the security and privacy of the internet, and any publicized security problems affecting our businesses and/or third parties may discourage consumers from doing business with Live Nation, which could have an adverse effect on its business, financial condition and results of operations.
In addition to the above concerns related to network and data security, the collection, transfer, use, disclosure, security and retention of personal or sensitive information and other user data are governed by existing and evolving federal, state and international laws. Live Nation has expended significant capital and other resources to keep abreast of the evolving privacy landscape, including the establishment of a dedicated global privacy organization within its legal team. However, Live Nation’s business could be adversely affected if legislation or regulations are expanded to require changes in business practices or policies (including, for example, practices or policies regarding the collection, transfer, use, disclosure, security, and retention of personal or sensitive information), or if governing jurisdictions interpret or
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implement legislation or regulations in a manner which negatively affects its business, financial condition and/or results of operations. Due to the changes in the data privacy regulatory environment, Live Nation may incur additional costs and challenges to its business that restrict or limit its ability to collect, transfer, use, disclose, secure, or retain personal or sensitive information. These changes in data privacy laws may require Live Nation to modify its current or future products, services, programs, practices or policies, which may in turn impact the products and services available to Live Nation’s customers.
Regulators and government enforcement actions worldwide are imposing significant fines against companies for data privacy violations. Live Nation’s business operations, including its ticketing business, involve the collection, transfer, use, disclosure, security, and disposal of personal or sensitive information in various locations around the world, including the E.U., where the GDPR governs data privacy and can result in the imposition of significant fines and penalties. In addition, following the withdrawal of the U.K. from the E.U. on December 31, 2020, Live Nation was required to separately comply with the U.K.’s data protection law, under which additional fines and penalties could be imposed independent of the GDPR. U.K. data protection law has continued to evolve and, notwithstanding the current E.U. decision that allows data to be transferred from the E.U. to the U.K., Live Nation anticipates additional changes to U.K. data protection law within the next 12-18 months. In the United States, several states (including California, Virginia, and Colorado) have required Live Nation to update its policies and procedures to continue to protect data as required under those laws. State and federal legislators in the United States continue to consider, and enact, new privacy laws, which may require further updates to ensure compliance. Additional changes to data privacy laws and regulations around the world, including in the E.U., U.K., and/or the United States, could lead to additional compliance costs and could increase Live Nation’s overall risk.
As Live Nation expands its operations into new jurisdictions, the costs associated with compliance with applicable local data privacy laws and regulations increases. It is possible that government or industry regulation in these markets will require Live Nation to deviate from its standard processes and/or make changes to its products, services and operations, which will increase operational cost and risk.
Live Nation’s failure or the failure of the various third-party vendors and service providers with which it is affiliated or otherwise conduct business to comply with applicable federal, state or international laws and regulations and/or to comply with its privacy policies and/or or any compromise of security that results in the unauthorized collection, transfer, use or disclosure of personal or sensitive information or other user data may result in negative publicity resulting in reputation or brand damage, may discourage potential users from purchasing tickets or trying Live Nation’s products and services, and may result in proceedings/fines by governmental agencies and/or private litigation brought by consumers; the realization of one or all of the foregoing could adversely affect Live Nation’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
Live Nation may fail to adequately protect its intellectual property rights or may be accused of infringing upon intellectual property rights of third parties.
Live Nation regards its intellectual property rights, including patents, trademarks and domain names, copyrights, trade secrets and similar intellectual property (as applicable) as critical to its success. Live Nation also relies heavily upon software codes, informational databases and other components that make up its products and services.
Live Nation has been granted trademark registrations and patents and/or have trademark and patent applications pending with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and/or various foreign authorities for various proprietary trademarks, technologies and other inventions. Any patent or trademark application filed may not result in a patent or trademark registration being issued, or existing or future patents or trademarks may not be adjudicated valid by a court or be afforded adequate protection against competitors. Likewise, the issuance of a patent or trademark registration to Live Nation does not mean that its processes, inventions or trademark will not be found to infringe upon rights previously issued to third parties. Live Nation relies on a combination of laws and contractual restrictions with employees, customers, suppliers, affiliates and others to establish and protect these proprietary rights. Despite these precautions, it may be possible for a third party to copy or otherwise obtain and use Live Nation’s intellectual property without authorization which, if discovered, might require legal action to correct. In addition, third parties may independently and lawfully develop substantially similar intellectual properties.
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From time to time, Live Nation is subject to legal proceedings and claims in the ordinary course of business, including claims of alleged infringement of the intellectual property rights of third parties. Live Nation’s failure to protect its intellectual property rights in a meaningful manner or challenges to related contractual rights could result in erosion of brand names or other intellectual property and could adversely affect its business, financial condition and results of operations. Therefore, litigation may be necessary in the future to enforce its intellectual property rights, protect trade secrets or determine the validity and scope of proprietary rights claimed by others. Any litigation of this nature, regardless of outcome or merit, could result in substantial costs and diversion of management and technical resources, any of which could adversely affect Live Nation’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
Risks Relating to the Ownership of Our Common Stock Due to Our Tracking Stock Capitalization
The following risks relate to the ownership of our common stock due to our tracking stock capitalization.
Holders of Liberty Formula One common stock and Liberty Live common stock are common stockholders of our Company and, therefore, are subject to risks associated with an investment in our Company as a whole, even if a holder does not own shares of common stock of both of our groups.
Even though we have attributed, for financial reporting purposes, all of our consolidated assets, liabilities, revenue, expenses and cash flows among the Formula One Group and the Liberty Live Group in order to prepare the separate financial statement schedules for each of those groups, we will retain legal title to all of our assets and our tracking stock capitalization does not limit our legal responsibility, or that of our subsidiaries, for the liabilities included in any set of financial statement schedules. Holders of Liberty Formula One common stock and Liberty Live common stock do not have any legal rights related to specific assets attributed to their associated group and, in any liquidation, holders of Liberty Formula One common stock and holders of Liberty Live common stock will be entitled to receive a pro rata share of our available net assets based on their respective numbers of liquidation units.
Possible market confusion may result from holders of our tracking stocks mistakenly believing that they (i) directly own stock of a company that is attributed to one of our tracking stocks and (ii) have any equity or voting interests with respect to companies attributed to one of our tracking stocks.
Our company holds interests in various companies, including public companies, and these interests are attributed to our tracking stock groups. In particular, following the Reclassification, the Formula One Group is comprised of our subsidiary that owns the Formula 1 business and the Liberty Live Group is primarily comprised of our interest in Live Nation. Depending on the composition of the assets underlying our tracking stock groups from time to time, confusion in the marketplace may occur if holders of our tracking stock mistakenly believe they own stock of a company attributed to the applicable tracking stock group. As described above, holders of Liberty Formula One common stock and Liberty Live common stock do not have any legal rights related to specific assets attributed to their associated tracking stock group. Similarly, holders of these tracking stocks do not, by virtue of their ownership of our tracking stock, own any equity or voting interest in any company attributed to one of our tracking stock groups, including any public companies.
We may split off, spin off or reattribute assets, liabilities and businesses attributed to our tracking stock groups in a manner that may disparately impact some of our stockholders if our Board of Directors determines such transaction to be in the best interest of all of our stockholders, and in some cases, not all of our stockholders would be entitled to vote on such a transaction.
Pursuant to the terms of Liberty’s restated certificate of incorporation (its “Charter”), the Board of Directors may determine that it is in the best interest of all of Liberty’s stockholders to effect a redemptive split-off whereby all or a portion of the outstanding shares of a particular tracking stock would be redeemed for shares of common stock of a subsidiary (“Splitco”) that holds all or a portion of the assets and liabilities attributed to such tracking stock group subject to the approval of only the holders of the tracking stock to be redeemed. For example, Liberty split-off its wholly owned subsidiaries, Atlanta Braves Holdings in 2023 and Liberty Sirius XM Holdings in 2024, and has announced a plan to split-off Liberty Live Group (immediately prior to which, QuintEvents would be reattributed from the Formula One Group to the Liberty Live Group). The vote of holders of Liberty’s other tracking stocks have not been and would not in the future be required, unless Splitco also held assets and liabilities of such other tracking stock group(s). If Liberty were to effect a
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redemptive split-off in the future, then, pursuant to the terms of its Charter, Liberty would be required to redeem the outstanding shares of the affected tracking stock from its holders on an equal per share basis (i.e., it could not redeem shares from holders of only certain series of the affected tracking stock or redeem from all holders of the affected tracking stock on a non-pro rata basis). Following any future redemptive split-off, holders of the other tracking stock(s) would continue to hold stock tracking the performance of Liberty’s remaining assets and liabilities which would not have changed after the redemptive split-off, unless a reattribution among the tracking stock groups occurred in connection with the redemptive split-off (as discussed below). In addition, in the case of a partial redemptive split-off, holders of the affected tracking stock would hold shares of Splitco and continue to hold a reduced number of shares of the affected tracking stock which would track the remaining assets and liabilities retained by Liberty and attributed to such tracking stock group after the split-off.
Liberty is also permitted, pursuant to the terms of its Charter, to effect a spin-off of certain of its assets and liabilities through the dividend of shares of a subsidiary holding such assets and liabilities, and the spin-off would not be subject to prior stockholder approval. In this situation, a tracking stock holder would retain their tracking stock shares and receive shares of the spun-off entity.
Furthermore, in structuring these transactions, the Board of Directors may determine to alter the composition of the assets and liabilities underlying its tracking stock groups through a reattribution. As contemplated by both the Charter and the management and allocation policies designed to assist Liberty in managing and separately presenting the businesses and operations attributed to our tracking stock groups, the Board of Directors is vested with the discretion to reattribute assets and liabilities from one tracking stock group to another tracking stock group without the approval of any of its stockholders, and the only limitations on its exercise of such discretion are that the reattribution be in the best interest of all of Liberty’s stockholders and that the reattribution be done on a fair value basis. Holders of the affected tracking stock groups will not be entitled to a separate vote to approve a reattribution, even if such reattribution is occurring in connection with a redemptive split-off and such stockholders would otherwise be entitled to vote on the redemptive split-off itself.
Our Board of Directors’ ability to reattribute businesses, assets and expenses between and among tracking stock groups may make it difficult to assess the future prospects of our tracking stock groups based on past performance.
Any reattribution made by the Board of Directors (as discussed above), as well as the existence, in and of itself, of the right to effect a reattribution may impact the ability of investors to assess the future prospects of the businesses and assets attributed to a tracking stock group, including liquidity and capital resource needs, based on past performance. Stockholders may also have difficulty evaluating the liquidity and capital resources of the businesses and assets attributed to each group based on past performance, as the Board of Directors may use one group’s liquidity to fund another group’s liquidity and capital expenditure requirements through the use of inter-group loans and inter-group interests.
We could be required to use assets attributed to one group to pay liabilities attributed to another group.
The assets attributed to one group are potentially subject to the liabilities attributed to another group, even if those liabilities arise from lawsuits, contracts or indebtedness that are attributed to such other group. While our current management and allocation policies provide that reattributions of assets between groups will result in the creation of an inter-group loan or an inter-group interest or an offsetting reattribution of cash or other assets, no provision of our current Charter prevents us from satisfying liabilities of one group with assets of another group, and our creditors are not in any way limited by our tracking stock capitalization from proceeding against any assets they could have proceeded against if we did not have a tracking stock capitalization.
The market price of Liberty Formula One common stock and Liberty Live common stock may not reflect the performance of the businesses and assets attributed to the Formula One Group and the Liberty Live Group, respectively, as we intend.
We cannot assure you that the market price of the common stock related to a group will, in fact, reflect the performance of the group of businesses, assets and liabilities attributed to that group. Holders of Liberty Formula One common stock and Liberty Live common stock are common stockholders of our Company as a whole and, as such, are subject to all risks associated with an investment in our Company and all of our businesses, assets and liabilities. As a
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result, the market price of each tracking stock may, in part, reflect events that are intended to be reflected or tracked by a different tracking stock of our Company. In addition, investors may discount the value of the stock related to a group because it is part of a common enterprise rather than a stand-alone entity.
The market price of Liberty Formula One common stock and Liberty Live common stock may be volatile, could fluctuate substantially and could be affected by factors that do not affect traditional common stock.
The market prices of Liberty Formula One common stock and Liberty Live common stock may be materially affected by, among other things:
● actual or anticipated fluctuations in a group’s operating results or in the operating results of particular companies attributable to such group;
● potential acquisition activity by our Company (regardless of the group to which it is attributed) or the companies in which we invest;
● issuances of debt or equity securities to raise capital by our Company or the companies in which we invest and the manner in which that debt or the proceeds of an equity issuance are attributed to each of the groups;
● changes in financial estimates by securities analysts regarding Liberty Formula One common stock or Liberty Live common stock or the companies attributable to our tracking stock groups;
● the complex nature and the potential difficulties investors may have in understanding the terms of our tracking stocks, as well as concerns regarding the possible effect of certain of those terms on an investment in our stocks; and
● general market conditions.
The market value of Liberty Formula One common stock or Liberty Live common stock could be adversely affected by events involving the assets and businesses attributed to the other group.
Because we are the issuer of Liberty Formula One common stock and Liberty Live common stock, an adverse market reaction to events relating to the assets and businesses attributed to one of our groups, such as earnings announcements, announcements of new products or services or acquisitions or dispositions that the market does not view favorably, may cause an adverse market reaction in the common stock of the other group. This could occur even if the triggering event is not material to us as a whole. Certain events may also have a greater impact on one group than the same triggering event would have on another group due to the asset composition of the affected group. In addition, the incurrence of significant indebtedness by us or any of our subsidiaries on behalf of one group, including indebtedness incurred or assumed in connection with acquisitions of or investments in businesses, could affect our credit rating and that of our subsidiaries and, therefore, could increase the borrowing costs of businesses attributable to our other group or the borrowing costs of our Company as a whole.
We may not pay dividends equally or at all on Liberty Formula One common stock or Liberty Live common stock.
We do not presently intend to pay cash dividends on Liberty Formula One common stock or Liberty Live common stock for the foreseeable future. However, we have the right to pay dividends on the shares of common stock related to each group in equal or unequal amounts, and we may pay dividends on the shares of common stock related to one group and not pay dividends on shares of common stock related to another group. In addition, any dividends or distributions on, or repurchases of, shares relating to a group will reduce our assets legally available to be paid as dividends on the shares relating to another group.
Our tracking stock capital structure could create conflicts of interest, and our Board of Directors may make decisions that could adversely affect only some holders of our common stock.
Our tracking stock capital structure could give rise to occasions when the interests of holders of stock related to one group might diverge or appear to diverge from the interests of holders of stock related to the other group. In addition,
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given the nature of their businesses, there may be inherent conflicts of interests between the Formula One Group and the Liberty Live Group. Our tracking stock groups are not separate entities and thus holders of Liberty Formula One common stock and Liberty Live common stock do not have the right to elect separate boards of directors. As a result, our Company’s officers and directors owe fiduciary duties to our Company as a whole and all of our stockholders as opposed to only holders of a particular group. Decisions deemed to be in the best interest of our Company and all of our stockholders may not be in the best interest of a particular group when considered independently. Examples include:
● decisions as to the terms of any business relationships that may be created between the Formula One Group and the Liberty Live Group;
● the terms of any reattributions of assets between groups;
● decisions as to the allocation of consideration among the holders of Liberty Formula One common stock and Liberty Live common stock, or among the series of stocks relating to our groups, to be received in connection with a merger involving our Company;
● decisions as to the allocation of corporate opportunities between the groups, especially where the opportunities might meet the strategic business objectives of more than one group;
● decisions as to operational and financial matters that could be considered detrimental to one group but beneficial to the other;
● decisions as to the conversion of shares of common stock of one group into shares of common stock of the other;
● decisions regarding the creation of, and, if created, the subsequent increase or decrease of any inter-group interest that one group may own in the other group;
● decisions as to the internal or external financing attributable to businesses or assets attributed to any of our groups;
● decisions as to the dispositions of assets of any of our groups; and
● decisions as to the payment of dividends on the stock relating to any of our groups.
Our directors’ or officers’ equity ownership may create or appear to create conflicts of interest.
If directors or officers own disproportionate interests (in percentage or value terms) in Liberty Formula One common stock or Liberty Live common stock, that disparity could create or appear to create conflicts of interest when they are faced with decisions that could have different implications for the holders of Liberty Formula One common stock or Liberty Live common stock.
Other than pursuant to our management and allocation policies, we have not adopted any specific procedures for consideration of matters involving a divergence of interests among holders of shares of stock relating to our two groups, or among holders of different series of stock relating to a specific group.
Rather than develop additional specific procedures in advance, the Board of Directors intends to exercise its judgment from time to time, depending on the circumstances, as to how best to:
● obtain information regarding the divergence (or potential divergence) of interests;
● determine under what circumstances to seek the assistance of outside advisers;
● determine whether a committee of the Board of Directors should be appointed to address a specific matter and the appropriate members of that committee; and
● assess what is in our best interests and the best interests of all of our stockholders.
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The Board of Directors believes the advantage of retaining flexibility in determining how to fulfill its responsibilities in any such circumstances as they may arise outweighs any perceived advantages of adopting additional specific procedures in advance.
Our Board of Directors may change the management and allocation policies to the detriment of one or more groups without stockholder approval.
The Board of Directors has adopted certain management and allocation policies to serve as guidelines in making decisions regarding the relationship between the Formula One Group and the Liberty Live Group with respect to matters such as tax liabilities and benefits, inter-group loans, inter-group interests, attribution of assets, financing alternatives, corporate opportunities and similar items. These policies also set forth the initial focuses and strategies of these groups and the initial attribution of our businesses, assets and liabilities among them. These policies are not included in the current Charter. The Board of Directors may at any time change or make exceptions to these policies. Because these policies relate to matters concerning the day-to-day management of our Company as opposed to significant corporate actions, such as a merger involving our Company or a sale of substantially all of our assets, no stockholder approval is required with respect to their adoption or amendment. A decision to change, or make exceptions to, these policies or adopt additional policies could disadvantage one group while advantaging the other.
Holders of shares of stock relating to a particular group may not have any remedies if any action by our directors or officers has an adverse effect on only that stock, or on a particular series of that stock.
Principles of Delaware law and the provisions of our current Charter may protect decisions of the Board of Directors that have a disparate impact upon holders of shares of stock relating to a particular group, or upon holders of any series of stock relating to a particular group. Under Delaware law, the Board of Directors has a duty to act with due care and in the best interests of all of our stockholders, regardless of the stock, or series, they hold. Principles of Delaware law established in cases involving differing treatment of multiple classes or series of stock provide that a board of directors owes an equal duty to all stockholders and does not have separate or additional duties to any subset of stockholders. Judicial opinions in Delaware involving tracking stocks have established that decisions by directors or officers involving differing treatment of holders of tracking stocks may be judged under the business judgment rule. In some circumstances, our directors or officers may be required to make a decision that is viewed as adverse to the holders of shares relating to a particular group or to the holders of a particular series of that stock. Under the principles of Delaware law and the business judgment rule referred to above, a stockholder may not be able to successfully challenge decisions that they believe have a disparate impact upon the stockholders of one of our groups if a majority of the Board of Directors is disinterested and independent with respect to the action taken, is adequately informed with respect to the action taken and acts in good faith and in the honest belief that the Board of Directors is acting in the best interest of Liberty and all of our stockholders.
Stockholders will not vote on how to attribute consideration received in connection with a merger involving our Company among holders of Liberty Formula One common stock and Liberty Live common stock.
Our current Charter does not contain any provisions governing how consideration received in connection with a merger or consolidation involving our Company is to be attributed to holders of Liberty Formula One common stock and holders of Liberty Live common stock or to the holders of different series of stock, and none of the holders of Liberty Formula One common stock or Liberty Live common stock will have a separate class vote in the event of such a merger or consolidation. Consistent with applicable principles of Delaware law, the Board of Directors will seek to divide the type and amount of consideration received in a merger or consolidation involving our Company among holders of Liberty Formula One common stock and Liberty Live common stock in a fair manner. As the different ways the Board of Directors may divide the consideration between holders of stock relating to the different groups, and among holders of different series of a particular stock, might have materially different results, the consideration to be received by holders of Liberty Formula One common stock and Liberty Live common stock in any such merger or consolidation may be materially less valuable than the consideration they would have received if they had a separate class vote on such merger or consolidation.
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We may dispose of assets of the Formula One Group or the Liberty Live Group without stockholder approval.
Delaware law requires stockholder approval only for a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of our Company taken as a whole, and our current Charter does not require a separate class vote in the case of a sale of a significant amount of assets of either of our groups. As long as the assets attributed to the Formula One Group or the Liberty Live Group proposed to be disposed of represent less than substantially all of our assets, we may approve sales and other dispositions of any amount of the assets of such group without any stockholder approval.
If we dispose of all or substantially all of the assets attributed to either group (which means, for this purpose, assets representing 80% of the fair market value of the total assets of the disposing group, as determined by the Board of Directors), we would be required under the terms of our current Charter, if the disposition is not an exempt disposition under the terms of our current charter, to choose one or more of the following three alternatives:
● declare and pay a dividend on the disposing group’s common stock;
● redeem shares of the disposing group’s common stock in exchange for cash, securities or other property; and/or
● convert all or a portion of the disposing group’s outstanding common stock into common stock of another group.
In this type of a transaction, holders of the disposing group’s common stock may receive less value than the value that a third-party buyer might pay for all or substantially all of the assets of the disposing group.
The Board of Directors will decide, in its sole discretion, how to proceed and is not required to select the option that would result in the highest value to holders of any stock related to a particular group.
Holders of Liberty Formula One common stock or Liberty Live common stock may receive less consideration upon a sale of the assets attributed to that group than if that group were a separate company.
If the Formula One Group or the Liberty Live Group were a separate, independent company and its shares were acquired by another person, certain costs of that sale, including corporate level taxes, might not be payable in connection with that acquisition. As a result, stockholders of a separate, independent company with the same assets might receive a greater amount of proceeds than the holders of Liberty Formula One common stock or Liberty Live common stock would receive upon a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the group to which their shares relate. In addition, we cannot assure you that in the event of such a sale the per share consideration to be paid to holders of Liberty Formula One common stock or Liberty Live common stock, as the case may be, will be equal to or more than the per share value of that share of stock prior to or after the announcement of a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the applicable group. Further, there is no requirement that the consideration paid be tax-free to the holders of the shares of common stock related to that group. Accordingly, if we sell all or substantially all of the assets attributed to the Formula One Group or the Liberty Live Group, our stockholders could suffer a loss in the value of their investment in our stock.
In the event of a liquidation of Liberty, holders of Liberty Formula One common stock and Liberty Live common stock will not have a priority with respect to the assets attributed to the related tracking stock group remaining for distribution to stockholders.
Under our current Charter, upon Liberty’s liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of Liberty Formula One common stock and Liberty Live common stock will be entitled to receive, in respect of their shares of such stock, their proportionate interest in all of Liberty’s assets, if any, remaining for distribution to holders of common stock in proportion to their respective number of “liquidation units” per share, as previously determined in connection with the Reclassification. Hence, the assets to be distributed to a holder of any of our tracking stocks upon a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Liberty will have nothing to do with the value of the assets attributed to the related tracking stock group or to changes in the relative value of Liberty Formula One common stock and Liberty Live common stock over time.
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The Board of Directors may elect to convert the common stock relating to one group into common stock relating to other group, thereby changing the nature of a stockholder’s investment and possibly diluting their economic interest in our Company, which could result in a loss in value to them.
Our current Charter permits the Board of Directors to convert all of the outstanding shares of common stock relating to any of our groups into shares of common stock of another group on specified terms. A conversion would preclude the holders of stock related to each group involved in such conversion from retaining their investment in a security that is intended to reflect separately the performance of the relevant group. We cannot predict the impact on the market value of our stock of (1) the Board of Directors’ ability to effect any such conversion or (2) the exercise of this conversion right by the Board of Directors. In addition, the Board of Directors may effect such a conversion at a time when the market value of our different stocks could cause the stockholders of one group to be disadvantaged.
Holders of Liberty Formula One common stock and Liberty Live common stock vote together and have limited separate voting rights.
Holders of Series A and Series B Liberty Formula One common stock and Liberty Live common stock vote together as a single class, except in certain limited circumstances prescribed by our current Charter and under Delaware law. Each share of Series B common stock of each group has ten votes per share, and each share of Series A common stock of each group has one vote per share. Holders of Series C common stock of each group have no voting rights, other than those required under Delaware law. When holders of Liberty Formula One common stock and Liberty Live common stock vote together as a single class, holders having a majority of the votes are in a position to control the outcome of the vote even if the matter involves a conflict of interest among our stockholders or has a greater impact on one group than another.
Transactions in Liberty Formula One common stock and Liberty Live common stock by our insiders could depress the market price of those stocks.
Sales of, or hedging transactions such as collars relating to, shares of Liberty Formula One common stock or Liberty Live common stock by our Chairman of the Board of Directors, or any of our other directors or executive officers, could cause a perception in the marketplace that the stock price of the relevant shares has peaked or that adverse events or trends have occurred or may be occurring at our Company or the group to which the shares relates. This perception can result notwithstanding any personal financial motivation for these transactions. As a result, insider transactions could depress the market price for shares of Liberty Formula One common stock or Liberty Live common stock.
Our capital structure, as well as the fact that the Formula One Group and the Liberty Live Group are not independent companies, may inhibit or prevent acquisition bids for the businesses attributed to the Formula One Group or the Liberty Live Group and may make it difficult for a third party to acquire us, even if doing so may be beneficial to our stockholders.
If the Formula One Group and the Liberty Live Group were separate independent companies, any person interested in acquiring the Formula One Group or the Liberty Live Group without negotiating with management could seek control of that group by obtaining control of its outstanding voting stock, by means of a tender offer or a proxy contest. Although we intend Liberty Formula One common stock and Liberty Live common stock to reflect the separate economic performance of the Formula One Group and the Liberty Live Group, respectively, those groups are not separate entities and a person interested in acquiring only one group without negotiation with our management could obtain control of that group only by obtaining control of a majority in voting power of all of the outstanding voting shares of our Company. The existence of shares of common stock, and different series of shares, relating to different groups could present complexities and in certain circumstances pose obstacles, financial and otherwise, to an acquiring person that are not present in companies that do not have a capital structure similar to ours.
Certain provisions of our current Charter and bylaws may discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our Company that a stockholder may consider favorable. These provisions include:
● authorizing a capital structure with multiple series of common stock: a Series B common stock related to each group that entitles the holders to ten votes per share, a Series A common stock related to each group
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that entitles the holder to one vote per share, and a Series C common stock related to each group that, except as otherwise required by Delaware law, entitles the holder to no voting rights;
● classifying the Board of Directors with staggered three-year terms, which may lengthen the time required to gain control of the Board of Directors;
● limiting who may call special meetings of stockholders;
● prohibiting stockholder action by written consent, thereby requiring all stockholder actions to be taken at a meeting of the stockholders;
● establishing advance notice requirements for nominations of candidates for election to the Board of Directors or for proposing matters that can be acted upon by stockholders at stockholder meetings;
● requiring stockholder approval by holders of at least 66⅔% of our aggregate voting power or the approval by at least 75% of the Board of Directors with respect to certain extraordinary matters, such as a merger or consolidation of our Company, a sale of all or substantially all of our assets or an amendment to our current Charter; and
● the existence of authorized and unissued stock, including “blank check” preferred stock, which could be issued by the Board of Directors to persons friendly to our then current management, thereby protecting the continuity of our management, or which could be used to dilute the stock ownership of persons seeking to obtain control of our Company.
Liberty’s Chairman, John C. Malone, beneficially owns shares (based on outstanding share information as of January 31, 2025) representing the power to direct approximately 49% of the aggregate voting power in Liberty, due to his beneficial ownership of approximately 97% of the outstanding shares of each of the Series B Liberty Formula One common stock and the Series B Liberty Live common stock.
Risks Relating to the proposed Liberty Live Split-Off
We have announced a plan to split-off our Liberty Live Group into an independent, publicly-traded company in the second half of 2025. The proposed transactions may not be completed on the currently contemplated timeline or at all and may not achieve the intended benefits.
We have announced a plan to split-off our Liberty Live Group into an independent, publicly-traded company in the second half of 2025, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including obtaining certain requisite approvals of holders of Series A and Series B Liberty Live common stock. Unanticipated developments, including changes in market conditions, the performance of our and Live Nation’s common stock, and possible delays in obtaining requisite approvals could delay or prevent the Liberty Live Split-Off from occurring or cause the Liberty Live Split-Off to occur on terms or conditions that are less favorable and/or different than expected. Even if the Liberty Live Split-Off is completed, we may not realize some or all of the anticipated benefits from the Liberty Live Split-Off.
We expect to incur costs and expenses in connection with the Liberty Live Split-Off.
We expect that we will incur certain nonrecurring costs in connection with the proposed Liberty Live Split-Off, including advisory, legal and other transaction costs. A majority of these costs have already been incurred or may be incurred regardless of whether the Liberty Live Split-Off is completed. While many of the expenses that would be incurred, by their nature, are difficult to estimate accurately at the present time, our management continues to assess the magnitude of these costs, and additional unanticipated costs may be incurred in connection with the Liberty Live Split-Off. Although we expect that the realization of benefits related to the Liberty Live Split-Off would offset such costs and expenses over time, no assurances can be made that this net benefit will be achieved in the near term, or at all.

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ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Item 2. Properties
We own our corporate headquarters in Englewood, Colorado.
Formula 1 owns no material property. Formula 1 leases space for its offices in London, England and for its television production and technical operations in Kent, England. The Company owns land and a building adjacent to the Las Vegas Strip which is utilized for the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Our other subsidiaries and business affiliates own or lease the fixed assets necessary for the operation of their respective businesses, including office space and entertainment venues. Our management believes that our current facilities are suitable and adequate for our business operations for the foreseeable future.

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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
Refer to note 16 in the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements for information on our legal proceedings.

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ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
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PART II.

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ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
Market Information
Liberty Media Corporation (“Liberty,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our”) has three series of each of its tracking stocks. Series A, Series B and Series C Liberty Formula One common stock trade or are quoted under the symbols FWONA/B/K, respectively; and Series A, Series B and Series C Liberty Live common stock trade or are quoted under the symbols LLYVA/B/K, respectively. Series A and Series C Liberty Formula One common stock and Series A and Series C Liberty Live common stock trade on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, and Series B Liberty Formula One common stock and Series B Liberty Live common stock are quoted on the OTC Markets. Stock price information for securities traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market can be found on the Nasdaq’s website at www.nasdaq.com.
The following tables set forth the range of high and low sales prices of our Series B Liberty Formula One common stock and Series B Liberty Live common stock for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023. There is no established public trading market for our Series B Liberty Formula One common stock and our Series B Liberty Live common stock, which are quoted on OTC Markets. The over-the-counter market quotations for our Series B Liberty Formula One common stock and our Series B Liberty Live common stock reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commission and may not necessarily represent actual transactions.
Formula One Group
Series B (FWONB)
High
Low
First quarter
$
68.02
54.31
Second quarter
$
68.00
63.00
Third quarter
$
66.00
55.00
Fourth quarter
$
56.02
56.02
First quarter
$
65.00
60.00
Second quarter
$
66.50
58.51
Third quarter
$
72.13
63.96
Fourth quarter
$
85.00
69.00
Liberty Live Group
Series B (LLYVB)
High
Low
Third quarter (from the initial quoting of LLYVB on August 4, 2023)
$
34.35
28.38
Fourth quarter
$
33.50
31.18
First quarter
$
39.00
36.00
Second quarter
$
40.00
33.50
Third quarter
$
50.00
33.30
Fourth quarter
$
75.25
50.00
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On August 3, 2023, Liberty completed the Reclassification (as defined below). 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. Stock prices presented in the tables above prior to August 3, 2023 were not adjusted to reflect the Reclassification.
Holders
The number of record holders as of January 31, 2025 were as follows:
Series A
Series B
Series C
Liberty Formula One common stock
Liberty Live common stock
The foregoing numbers of record holders do not include the number of stockholders whose shares are held nominally by banks, brokerage houses or other institutions, but include each such institution as one shareholder.
Dividends
We have not paid any cash dividends on our common stock, and we have no present intention of so doing. Payment of cash dividends, if any, in the future will be determined by our board of directors in light of our earnings, financial condition and other relevant considerations.
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
Information required by this item is incorporated by reference to our definitive proxy statement for our 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer
Share Repurchase Programs
In November 2019, our board of directors authorized the repurchase of $1 billion of the Company’s common stock. In May 2022, our board of directors authorized the repurchase of an additional $1 billion of the Company’s common stock.
There were no repurchases of Series A Liberty Formula One common stock or Liberty Live common stock and no repurchases of Series C Liberty Formula One common stock or Liberty Live common stock during the three months ended December 31, 2024. As of December 31, 2024, approximately $1.1 billion was available for future share repurchases under our share repurchase program.
During the three months ended December 31, 2024, no shares of Series A or Series C Liberty Formula One common stock, no shares of Series A Liberty Live common stock and 141 shares of Series C Liberty Live common stock were surrendered by certain of our officers and employees to pay withholding taxes and other deductions in connection with the vesting of their restricted stock and restricted stock units.

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Item 6.  [Reserved]
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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The following discussion and analysis provides information concerning our results of operations and financial condition. This discussion should be read in conjunction with our accompanying consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto. See note 4 in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for an overview of accounting standards that we have adopted or that we plan to adopt that have had or may have an impact on our financial statements.
Overview
We own controlling and non-controlling interests in a broad range of media and entertainment companies. Our most significant operating subsidiary, Formula 1, is wholly-owned and is also a reportable segment. Formula 1 is a global motorsports business that holds exclusive commercial rights with respect to the World Championship (as defined below), an annual, approximately nine-month long, motor race-based competition in which teams compete for the Constructors' Championship and drivers compete for the Drivers' Championship. The World Championship takes place on various circuits with a varying number of events (“Events”) taking place in different countries around the world each season. Formula 1 is responsible for the commercial exploitation and development of the World Championship as well as various aspects of its management and administration.
We hold an ownership interest in Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. (“Live Nation”), which is accounted for as an equity method investment. Live Nation is considered the world’s leading live entertainment company. As of December 31, 2024, Live Nation met the Company’s reportable segment threshold for equity method affiliates.
Our “Corporate and Other” category includes our consolidated subsidiary QuintEvents, LLC (“QuintEvents”), corporate expenses and investments and related financial instruments in other public companies. Braves Holdings, LLC ("Braves Holdings"), a consolidated subsidiary, was included in “Corporate and Other” prior to the Atlanta Braves Holdings Split-Off (defined below).
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 Liberty Formula One Group (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.
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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.
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 Inc. (“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. Liberty Sirius XM Holdings is presented as a discontinued operation in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
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.
As of December 31, 2024, the Formula One Group is primarily comprised of Liberty’s interests in Formula 1 and QuintEvents, cash and Liberty’s 2.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2027. As of December 31, 2024, the Formula One Group has cash and cash equivalents of approximately $2,631 million, which includes $1,389 million of subsidiary cash.
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. As of December 31, 2024, the Liberty Live Group has cash and cash equivalents of approximately $325 million.
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. 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 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.
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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 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.
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Strategies and Challenges of Business Units
Formula 1. Formula 1’s goal is to further broaden and increase the global scale and appeal of the FIA (as defined below) Formula One World Championship (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
o Maximizing media rights across markets, including alternate media platforms; continuing to grow Formula 1’s direct-to-consumer 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 Formula 1 Paddock Club program (the “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.
Results of Operations-Consolidated
General. Provided in the tables below is information regarding our Consolidated Operating Results and Other Income and Expense, as well as information regarding the contribution to those items from our consolidated reportable segments. The “Corporate and Other” category consists of those assets or businesses which do not qualify as a separate reportable segment. For a more detailed discussion and analysis of the financial results of our principal reportable segment, see “Results of Operations-Businesses” below.
Braves Holdings was a subsidiary of the Company until the Atlanta Braves Holdings Split-Off on July 18, 2023. 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.
A discussion regarding our financial condition and results of operations for fiscal year 2024 compared to fiscal year 2023 is presented below. A discussion regarding our financial condition and results of operations for fiscal year 2023 compared to fiscal year 2022 can be found in Part II, Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on February 28, 2024.
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Consolidated Operating Results
Years ended December 31,
amounts in millions
Revenue
Formula One Group
Formula 1
$
3,411
3,222
Corporate and other
Intergroup elimination
(131)
(16)
Total Formula One Group
3,653
3,222
Braves Group
Corporate and other
NA
Total Braves Group
NA
Consolidated Liberty
$
3,653
3,572
Operating Income (Loss)
Formula One Group
Formula 1
$
Corporate and other
(205)
(95)
Total Formula One Group
Liberty Live Group
Corporate and other
(11)
(11)
Total Liberty Live Group
(11)
(11)
Braves Group
Corporate and other
NA
(31)
Total Braves Group
NA
(31)
Consolidated Liberty
$
Adjusted OIBDA
Formula One Group
Formula 1
$
Corporate and other
(17)
(39)
Total Formula One Group
Liberty Live Group
Corporate and other
(7)
(9)
Total Liberty Live Group
(7)
(9)
Braves Group
Corporate and other
NA
Total Braves Group
NA
Consolidated Liberty
$
Revenue. Our consolidated revenue increased $81 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to the prior year, driven by an increase in Formula 1 revenue and revenue from QuintEvents, partially offset by a decrease in Braves Holdings revenue due to the Atlanta Braves Holdings Split-Off in 2023 and an increase in intergroup eliminations. See “Results of Operations-Businesses” below for a more complete discussion of the results of operations of Formula 1.
Operating income. Our consolidated operating income increased $21 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to the prior year, driven by an increase in Formula 1’s operating results and the Atlanta Braves Holdings Split-Off in 2023, partially offset by QuintEvents’ operating loss, largely driven by the goodwill impairment, disclosed below. See “Results of Operations-Businesses” below for a more complete discussion of the results of operations of Formula 1.
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Stock-based compensation. Stock-based compensation includes compensation related to options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, performance-based restricted stock units and other stock-based awards granted to officers, employees, nonemployee directors and employees of our subsidiaries. We recorded $34 million and $29 million of stock compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase in 2024 as compared to 2023 is primarily due to an increase in corporate and other stock compensation expense.
As of December 31, 2024, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested Liberty equity awards was approximately $15 million. Such amount will be recognized in our consolidated statements of operations over a weighted average period of approximately 1.4 years.
See “Results of Operations-Businesses” below for a more complete discussion of the results of operations of Formula 1.
Impairment and acquisition costs. QuintEvents recognized a goodwill impairment loss of $73 million during the year ended December 31, 2024. See note 8 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for additional information. The Company recorded $32 million of acquisition costs, primarily related to Dorna, during the year ended December 31, 2024.
Adjusted OIBDA. To provide investors with additional information regarding our financial results, we also disclose Adjusted OIBDA, which is a non-GAAP (as defined below) financial measure. We define Adjusted OIBDA as operating income (loss) plus depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, separately reported litigation settlements, restructuring, acquisition and impairment charges. Our chief operating decision maker and management team use this measure of performance in conjunction with other measures to evaluate our businesses and make decisions about allocating resources among our businesses. We believe this is an important indicator of the operational strength and performance of our businesses by identifying those items that are not directly a reflection of each business’ performance or indicative of ongoing business trends. In addition, this measure allows us to view operating results, perform analytical comparisons and benchmarking between businesses and identify strategies to improve performance. Accordingly, Adjusted OIBDA should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, operating income, net income, cash flow provided by operating activities and other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP’). The following table provides a reconciliation of Operating income (loss) to Adjusted OIBDA:
Years ended December 31,
amounts in millions
Operating income (loss)
$
Stock-based compensation
Depreciation and amortization
Impairment and acquisition costs
Adjusted OIBDA
$
Consolidated Adjusted OIBDA increased $76 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to the prior year, primarily due to an increase in Formula 1 Adjusted OIBDA, partially offset by the Atlanta Braves Holdings Split-Off in 2023. See “Results of Operations-Businesses” below for a more complete discussion of the results of operations of Formula 1.
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Other Income and Expense
Components of Other Income (Expense) are presented in the table below.
Years ended December 31,
amounts in millions
Interest expense
Formula One Group
$
(208)
(214)
Liberty Live Group
(29)
(10)
Liberty SiriusXM Group
-
(4)
Braves Group
NA
(20)
Consolidated Liberty
$
(237)
(248)
Share of earnings (losses) of affiliates
Formula One Group
$
(10)
(4)
Liberty Live Group
Liberty SiriusXM Group
-
Braves Group
NA
Consolidated Liberty
$
Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments, net
Formula One Group
$
(120)
Liberty Live Group
(263)
(153)
Liberty SiriusXM Group
-
(59)
Braves Group
NA
Consolidated Liberty
$
(383)
(167)
Unrealized gains (losses) on intergroup interests, net
Formula One Group
$
-
Braves Group
NA
(83)
Consolidated Liberty
$
-
(68)
Other, net
Formula One Group
$
Liberty Live Group
(28)
Liberty SiriusXM Group
-
(6)
Braves Group
NA
Consolidated Liberty
$
$
(300)
(280)
Interest expense. Consolidated interest expense decreased $11 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to the prior year. Interest expense for the Braves Group decreased due to the Atlanta Braves Holdings Split-Off. Interest expense for the Liberty Live Group increased due to an increase in the average amount of debt outstanding. Certain debt was reattributed from the Liberty SiriusXM Group to the Liberty Live Group effective August 3, 2023. The interest related to such debt is reflected in interest expense for the Liberty SiriusXM Group prior to the Reclassification and in interest expense for the Liberty Live Group following the Reclassification.
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Share of earnings (losses) of affiliates. The following table presents our share of earnings (losses) of affiliates:
Years ended December 31,
amounts in millions
Formula One Group
Other
$
(10)
(4)
Total Formula One Group
(10)
(4)
Liberty Live Group
Live Nation
Other
Total Liberty Live Group
Liberty SiriusXM Group
Live Nation
-
Total Liberty SiriusXM Group
-
Braves Group
Other
NA
Total Braves Group
NA
Consolidated Liberty
$
Liberty’s interest in Live Nation and certain other equity affiliates were reattributed from the Liberty SiriusXM Group and the Formula One Group to the Liberty Live Group effective August 3, 2023. Liberty’s share of earnings (losses) related to these affiliates were reflected in the results of the Liberty SiriusXM Group and the Formula One Group prior to the Reclassification and are reflected in the results of the Liberty Live Group following the Reclassification.
Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments, net. Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments, net are comprised of changes in the fair value of the following:
Years ended December 31,
amounts in millions
Debt measured at fair value
$
(339)
(224)
Foreign currency forward contracts
(138)
-
Interest rate swaps
Debt and equity securities
(5)
Other
(4)
$
(383)
(167)
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) on debt measured at fair value are due to market factors primarily driven by changes in the fair value of the underlying shares into which the debt is exchangeable. Changes in unrealized gains (losses) on foreign currency forward contracts are driven by changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Gains (losses) on interest rate swaps are primarily driven by changes in the fair value of Formula 1’s interest rate swaps and realized gains (losses) on Formula 1’s interest rate swaps. The changes in unrealized gains (losses) on debt and equity securities (as defined in note 4 of our accompanying consolidated financial statements) are due to market factors primarily driven by changes in the fair value of the stock underlying these financial instruments.
Unrealized gains (losses) on intergroup interests, net. Unrealized gains (losses) on intergroup interests, net are driven by changes in the fair value of notional shares representing the intergroup interests. The intergroup interests were settled and extinguished during the year ended December 31, 2023.
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Other, net. Other, net income increased during 2024, as compared to the prior year, primarily driven by an increase in interest and dividend income, a decrease in losses on early extinguishment of debt and a decrease in tax related expense pursuant to a tax sharing agreement with QVC Group, Inc., formerly known as Qurate Retail, Inc., partially offset by an increase in foreign exchange losses.
Income taxes. The Company had income tax expense of $39 million and a tax benefit of $1 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Our effective tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 was 163% and 4%, respectively. Our effective tax rate both years was impacted for the following reasons:
● During 2024, the Company recognized income tax expense instead of a tax benefit at the expected federal rate of 21% primarily due to certain losses that are not deductible for tax purposes and non-deductible executive compensation, partially offset by tax benefits related to stock-based compensation and earnings in foreign jurisdictions taxed at rates lower than the 21% U.S. federal rate.
● During 2023, the Company recognized a tax benefit less than the expected federal rate of 21% primarily due to intergroup interest losses that are not deductible for tax purposes and certain other non-deductible expenses, partially offset by a tax benefit related to foreign currency adjustments on certain U.K. deferred tax assets.
Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations. We had net losses from continuing operations of $63 million and $24 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The change in net losses from continuing operations was the result of the above-described fluctuations in our revenue, expenses and other gains and losses.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of December 31, 2024, substantially all of our cash and cash equivalents were invested in U.S. Treasury securities, other government securities or government guaranteed funds, AAA rated money market funds and other highly rated financial and corporate debt instruments.
The following are potential sources of liquidity: available cash balances, cash generated by the operating activities of our subsidiaries (to the extent such cash exceeds the working capital needs of the subsidiaries and is not otherwise restricted), proceeds from net asset sales, monetization of our public investment portfolio (including derivatives), debt borrowings and equity issuances, available borrowing capacity under a margin loan, and dividend and interest receipts.
Liberty currently does not have a corporate debt rating.
As of December 31, 2024, Liberty’s cash and cash equivalents were as follows (amounts in millions):
Formula One Group
Formula 1
$
1,310
Corporate and other
1,321
Total Formula One Group
$
2,631
Liberty Live Group
Corporate and other
$
Total Liberty Live Group
$
Cash held by Formula 1 is accessible by Liberty, except when a restricted payment (“RP”) test imposed by the first lien term loan and the revolving credit facility at Formula 1 is not met. Pursuant to the RP test, Liberty does not have unlimited access to Formula 1’s cash when Formula 1’s leverage ratio (defined as net debt divided by covenant earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization for the trailing twelve months) exceeds a certain threshold. During the year ended December 31, 2024, Formula 1 distributed $150 million to Liberty and the RP test was met, pro forma for such distribution. If distributions are made in the future, the RP test, pro forma for such distributions, would have to be met. As of December 31, 2024, Liberty had $400 million available under a margin loan secured by shares of Live Nation. Liberty
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believes that it currently has appropriate legal structures in place to repatriate foreign cash as tax efficiently as possible and meet the business needs of the Company.
The Company and Formula 1 are in compliance with all debt covenants as of December 31, 2024.
The cash provided (used) by our continuing operations was as follows:
Years ended December 31,
amounts in millions
Formula One Group cash provided (used) by operating activities
$
Liberty Live Group cash provided (used) by operating activities
(14)
(13)
Liberty SiriusXM Group cash provided (used) by operating activities
-
(4)
Braves Group cash provided (used) by operating activities
NA
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities
$
Formula One Group cash provided (used) by investing activities
$
(292)
(510)
Liberty Live Group cash provided (used) by investing activities
Braves Group cash provided (used) by investing activities
NA
(35)
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities
$
(187)
(544)
Formula One Group cash provided (used) by financing activities
$
(435)
Liberty Live Group cash provided (used) by financing activities
(71)
Liberty SiriusXM Group cash provided (used) by financing activities
-
Braves Group cash provided (used) by financing activities
NA
(170)
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities
$
(285)
Liberty’s primary uses of corporate cash during the year ended December 31, 2024 (excluding cash used by Formula 1) were $205 million for acquisitions, net of cash acquired, and $77 million for debt repayments, which were primarily funded by cash on hand and proceeds from dispositions. In addition, the Company generated approximately $939 million of net proceeds from the issuance of approximately 12.2 million shares of Series C Liberty Formula One common stock during the year ended December 31, 2024.
During the year ended December 31, 2024, Formula 1’s primary use of cash was $73 million of capital expenditures, funded primarily by cash on hand and cash from operations.
The projected uses of Liberty’s cash (excluding Formula 1’s uses of cash) are primarily capital expenditures, the investment in new or existing businesses, including the acquisition of Dorna and the related €126 million extension payment, debt service and the potential buyback of common stock under the approved share buyback program. Liberty expects to fund its projected uses of cash with cash on hand, borrowing capacity under a margin loan and outstanding or new debt instruments, or distributions from operating subsidiaries. Net payments of income tax liabilities may be required to settle items under discussion with tax authorities.
Formula 1’s uses of cash are expected to be capital expenditures, debt service payments and operating expenses. Liberty expects Formula 1 to fund its projected uses of cash with cash on hand and cash provided by operations.
We believe that the available sources of liquidity are sufficient to cover our projected future uses of cash.
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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Material Cash Requirements
Information concerning the amount and timing of required payments, both accrued and off-balance sheet, excluding uncertain tax positions as it is indeterminable when payments will be made, is summarized below.
Payments due by period
Total
Less than 1 year
2 - 3 years
4 - 5 years
After 5 years
amounts in millions
Material Cash Requirements
Long-term debt (1)
$
4,058
2,866
Interest payments (2)
1,555
Operating lease obligations
Short-term leases (3)
-
Other obligations
-
-
Total consolidated
$
5,836
3,677
(1) Amounts are stated at the face amount at maturity of our debt instruments and may differ from the amounts stated in our consolidated balance sheet to the extent debt instruments (i) were issued at a discount or premium or (ii) have elements which are reported at fair value in our consolidated balance sheet. Amounts do not assume additional borrowings or refinancings of existing debt.
(2) Amounts (i) are based on our outstanding debt at December 31, 2024, (ii) assume the interest rates on our variable rate debt remain constant at the December 31, 2024 rates and (iii) assume that our existing debt is repaid at maturity.
(3) The Company does not recognize lease liabilities for short-term leases, which are those leases with a term of twelve months or less or leases with non-consecutive periods of use that total twelve months or less at the lease commencement date. Certain short-term leases that include non-consecutive periods of use extend over multiple years.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The preparation of our financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Listed below are the accounting estimates that we believe are critical to our financial statements due to the degree of uncertainty regarding the estimates or assumptions involved and the magnitude of the asset, liability, revenue or expense being reported. All of these accounting estimates and assumptions, as well as the resulting impact to our financial statements, have been discussed with our audit committee.
Non-Financial Instrument Valuations. Our non-financial instrument valuations are primarily comprised of our determination of the estimated fair value allocation of net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired in business combinations, our annual assessment of the recoverability of our goodwill and other nonamortizable intangibles, such as trademarks, and our evaluation of the recoverability of our other long-lived assets upon certain triggering events. If the carrying value of our long-lived assets exceeds their estimated fair value, we are required to write the carrying value down to fair value. Any such write-down is included in impairment, restructuring and acquisition costs, net of recoveries in our consolidated statement of operations. A high degree of judgment is required to estimate the fair value of our long-lived assets. We may use quoted market prices, prices for similar assets, present value techniques and other valuation techniques to prepare these estimates. We may need to make estimates of future cash flows and discount rates as well as other assumptions in order to implement these valuation techniques. Due to the high degree of judgment involved in our estimation techniques, any value ultimately derived from our long-lived assets may differ from our estimate of fair value.
As of December 31, 2024, Formula 1 had $3,956 million of goodwill and $178 million of goodwill was included in corporate and other.
We perform our annual assessment of the recoverability of our goodwill and other nonamortizable intangible assets in the fourth quarter each year, or more frequently if events and circumstances indicate impairment may have occurred. The accounting guidance permits entities to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely
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than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative goodwill impairment test. The accounting guidance also allows entities the option to bypass the qualitative assessment for any reporting unit in any period and proceed directly to the quantitative impairment test. The entity may resume performing the qualitative assessment in any subsequent period. In evaluating goodwill on a qualitative basis, the Company reviews the business performance of each reporting unit and evaluates other relevant factors as identified in the relevant accounting guidance to determine whether it is more likely than not that an indicated impairment exists for any of our reporting units. The Company considers whether there are any negative macroeconomic conditions, industry specific conditions, market changes, increased competition, increased costs in doing business, management challenges, the legal environments and how these factors might impact company specific performance in future periods. As part of the analysis, the Company also considers fair value determinations for certain reporting units that have been made at various points throughout the current and prior year for other purposes. If based on the qualitative analysis it is more likely than not that an impairment exists, the Company performs the quantitative impairment test.
The Company performed a quantitative analysis of QuintEvents during the fourth quarter of 2024. Based on near-term business trends and their impact on long-term assumptions, we concluded that the estimated fair value of QuintEvents was less than its carrying value. As a result, QuintEvents recognized a goodwill impairment loss of $73 million during the year ended December 31, 2024. The fair value was determined using a discounted cash flow (income approach) calculation (Level 3). Due to the goodwill impairment loss recorded, QuintEvents’ carrying value approximates its estimated fair value as of December 31, 2024. The Company will monitor QuintEvents’ business performance versus the current and updated long-term forecasts, among other relevant considerations, to determine if the carrying value of its goodwill is appropriate. Declines in forecasted revenue, cash flows or other factors could result in a sustained decrease in fair value that may result in a determination that carrying value adjustments are required.
Income Taxes. We are required to estimate the amount of tax payable or refundable for the current year and the deferred income tax liabilities and assets for the future tax consequences of events that have been reflected in our financial statements or tax returns for each taxing jurisdiction in which we operate. This process requires our management to make judgments regarding the timing and probability of the ultimate tax impact of the various agreements and transactions that we enter into. Based on these judgments we may record tax reserves or adjustments to valuation allowances on deferred tax assets to reflect the expected realizability of future tax benefits. Actual income taxes could vary from these estimates due to future changes in income tax law, significant changes in the jurisdictions in which we operate, our inability to generate sufficient future taxable income or unpredicted results from the final determination of each year’s liability by taxing authorities. These changes could have a significant impact on our financial position.
Results of Operations-Businesses
Formula One Group
Formula 1. Formula 1 is a global motorsports business that holds exclusive commercial rights with respect to the World Championship, an annual, approximately nine-month long, motor race-based competition in which teams compete for the Constructors’ Championship and drivers compete for the Drivers’ Championship. The World Championship takes place on various circuits throughout the world. 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.
The 2024 World Championship calendar was comprised of 24 Events. The 2023 World Championship calendar was originally scheduled to have 23 Events. However, following the cancellation of the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix at Imola due to severe flooding in the region, 22 Events took place.
Following the acquisition of QuintEvents, Formula 1’s results include intergroup revenue that is eliminated in consolidation.
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Formula 1’s operating results were as follows:
Years ended December 31,
amounts in millions
Primary Formula 1 revenue
$
2,757
2,560
Other Formula 1 revenue
Total Formula 1 revenue
3,411
3,222
Operating expenses (excluding stock-based compensation included below):
Cost of Formula 1 revenue (exclusive of depreciation shown separately below)
(2,332)
(2,256)
Selling, general and administrative expenses
(288)
(241)
Adjusted OIBDA
Stock-based compensation
(3)
(3)
Depreciation and amortization
(296)
(330)
Operating income (loss)
$
Number of Events
Primary Formula 1 revenue is derived from the commercial exploitation and development of the World Championship through a combination of race promotion fees (earned from granting the rights to host, stage and promote each Event on the World Championship calendar, fees from certain race promoters to license additional commercial rights from Formula 1 to secure Formula 2, Formula 3 and Academy races at their Events, technical service fees from promoters to support the origination of program footage and ticketing revenue from Formula 1’s direct promotion of the Las Vegas Grand Prix), media rights fees (earned from licensing the right to broadcast Events and Formula 2 and Formula 3 races on television and other platforms, TV subscriptions and other related services, the origination of program footage, footage from Formula 1’s archives and the licensing of radio broadcast and other ancillary media rights) and sponsorship fees (earned from the sale of World Championship and Event-related advertising and sponsorship rights and the servicing of such rights, rights to advertise on Formula 1’s digital platforms and at non-Championship related events).
Primary Formula 1 revenue increased $197 million during the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to the prior year. Media rights revenue increased during the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to the prior year, due to the effect of contractual increases in fees and the continued growth in TV subscription and distribution revenue. Race promotion revenue increased during the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to the prior year, due to two more Events held, contractual increases in fees and new fees from Academy races, partially offset by lower revenue generated from the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Sponsorship revenue increased during the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to the prior year, due to revenue from new sponsors, contractual increases in revenue from existing sponsors and additional sponsorship inventory with the two additional Events held.
Other Formula 1 revenue is generated from miscellaneous and ancillary sources primarily related to the sale of tickets to the Paddock Club at most Events, facilitating the shipment of cars and equipment to and from events outside of Europe, the sale of hospitality and experiences at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, the operation of the Formula 2, Formula 3 and Academy series, other licensing opportunities, various television production activities and other ancillary operations.
Other Formula 1 revenue decreased $8 million during the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to the prior year, primarily due to lower hospitality revenue generated at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, partially offset by higher revenue from two more Events, continued growth in the Paddock Club, growth in other areas such as Experiences’ license fees, secondary hospitality revenue share and Garage sales, the sale of new Formula 2 cars and associated parts at the beginning of the new Formula 2 vehicle cycle, growth in licensing revenue and higher freight revenue, driven by one more Event taking place outside of Europe compared to the prior year.
Cost of Formula 1 revenue consists of team payments and other costs of Formula 1 revenue. Other costs of Formula 1 revenue are largely variable in nature and relate to both primary and other Formula 1 revenue. The largest components of other costs of Formula 1 revenue are costs related to promoting, organizing and delivering the Las Vegas
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Grand Prix, hospitality costs, which are principally related to catering and other aspects of the production and delivery of hospitality offerings at the Las Vegas Grand Prix and the Paddock Club at other Events, and costs incurred in the provision and sale of freight, travel and logistical services. Other costs of Formula 1 revenue also include sponsorship and digital product sales’ commissions, circuit rights’ fees payable under various agreements with race promoters to acquire certain commercial rights at Events, including the right to sell advertising, hospitality and support race opportunities, annual Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (“FIA”) regulatory fees, Formula 2 and Formula 3 cars, parts and maintenance services, costs related to the Academy series, television production and post-production services, advertising production services and digital and social media activities.
Years ended December 31,
amounts in millions
Team payments
$
(1,266)
(1,215)
Other costs of Formula 1 revenue
(1,066)
(1,041)
Cost of Formula 1 revenue
$
(2,332)
(2,256)
Cost of Formula 1 revenue increased $76 million during the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to the prior year.
Team payments increased $51 million during the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to the prior year, driven by the increase in Formula 1 revenue and the associated impact on the calculation of variable Prize Fund elements, which are calculated with reference to Formula 1’s revenue and costs.
Other costs of Formula 1 revenue increased $25 million during the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to the prior year, primarily due to a full year of Las Vegas Grand Prix related lease costs, higher commissions and partner servicing costs associated with increased Primary Formula 1 revenue streams, costs of supplying new Formula 2 cars and associated parts at the beginning of the new vehicle cycle and costs associated with the two additional Events held, partially offset by lower event promotion and hospitality and experiences costs incurred in promoting and delivering the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Selling, general and administrative expenses include personnel costs, legal, professional and other advisory fees, bad debt expense, rental expense, information technology costs, insurance premiums, maintenance and utility costs and other general office administration costs. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $47 million during the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to the prior year, driven by higher personnel, information technology, marketing, legal and other professional fee costs, as well as higher property costs from the full year operation of Grand Prix Plaza in Las Vegas, partially offset by the effect of lower foreign exchange losses.
Stock-based compensation expense was flat during the year ended December 31, 2024 as compared to the prior year.
Depreciation and amortization includes depreciation of fixed assets and amortization of intangible assets. Depreciation and amortization decreased $34 million during the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to the prior year, primarily due to decreases in amortization expense related to certain intangible assets acquired in the acquisition of Formula 1 by Liberty.
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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.
We are exposed to market risk in the normal course of business due to our ongoing investing and financial activities and the conduct of operations. Market risk refers to the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in stock prices and interest rates. The risk of loss can be assessed from the perspective of adverse changes in fair values, cash flows and future earnings. We have established policies, procedures and internal processes governing our management of market risks and the use of financial instruments to manage our exposure to such risks.
We are exposed to changes in interest rates primarily as a result of our borrowing and investment activities, which include investments in fixed and floating rate debt instruments and borrowings used to maintain liquidity and to fund business operations. The nature and amount of our long-term and short-term debt are expected to vary as a result of future requirements, market conditions and other factors. We manage our exposure to interest rates by maintaining what we believe is an appropriate mix of fixed and variable rate debt. We believe this best protects us from interest rate risk. We have achieved this mix by (i) issuing fixed rate debt that we believe has a low stated interest rate and significant term to maturity, (ii) issuing variable rate debt with appropriate maturities and interest rates and (iii) entering into interest rate swap arrangements when we deem appropriate.
As of December 31, 2024, our debt is comprised of the following amounts:
Variable rate debt
Fixed rate debt
Principal
Weighted avg
Principal
Weighted avg
amount
interest rate
amount
interest rate
dollar amounts in millions
Formula One Group
$
6.2%
$
2,728
4.4%
Liberty Live Group
$
NA
NA
$
1,150
2.4%
The Company is exposed to changes in stock prices primarily as a result of our significant holdings in publicly traded securities. We continually monitor changes in stock markets, in general, and changes in the stock prices of our holdings, specifically. We believe that changes in stock prices can be expected to vary as a result of general market conditions, technological changes, specific industry changes and other factors. We periodically use equity collars and other financial instruments to manage market risk associated with certain investment positions. These instruments are recorded at fair value based on option pricing models and other appropriate methods.
Additionally, our stock in Live Nation (an equity method affiliate), a publicly traded security, is not reflected at fair value in our balance sheet. This security is also subject to market risk that is not directly reflected in our financial statements, and had the market price of such security been 10% lower at December 31, 2024, the aggregate value of such security would have been $902 million lower.

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
The consolidated financial statements of Liberty Media Corporation are filed under this Item, beginning on Page II-24. The financial statement schedules required by Regulation S-X are filed under Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
None.

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ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.
In accordance with Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including its chief executive officer and principal accounting and
II-17
financial officer (the “Executives”) and under the oversight of its Board of Directors, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2024. Based on that evaluation, the Executives concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2024 to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in its reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.
See page II-19 for Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.
See page II-20 for Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for their attestation regarding the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting.
In January 2024, the Company acquired QuintEvents. As a result of the acquisition, the Company is reviewing the internal controls of QuintEvents and is making appropriate changes as deemed necessary. Except for the changes in internal control at QuintEvents, there has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the three months ended December 31, 2024 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal control over financial reporting.

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ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 9B. Other Information.
Insider Trading Arrangements
None of the Company’s directors or officers adopted or terminated a Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement or a non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement during the Company’s fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2024.

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ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Item 10.
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Item 11.
Executive Compensation

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ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
Item 12.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

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ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Item 13.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

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ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
Item 14.
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
We expect to file our definitive proxy statement for our 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or before April 30, 2025.
III-1
PART IV.

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ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.
(a)(1) Financial Statements
Included in Part II of this Report:
Page No.
Liberty Media Corporation:
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (KPMG LLP, Denver, CO, Auditor Firm ID: 185)
II-20
Consolidated Balance Sheets, December 31, 2024 and 2023
II-24
Consolidated Statements of Operations, Years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022
II-26
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Earnings (Loss), Years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022
II-28
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, Years Ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022
II-29
Consolidated Statements of Equity, Years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022
II-30
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022
II-31
(a)(2) Financial Statement Schedules
(i) All schedules have been omitted because they are not applicable, not material or the required information is set forth in the financial statements or notes thereto.
(ii) The audited consolidated financial statements of Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, and for each of the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, as well as the accompanying notes thereto and the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, are contained in Live Nation Entertainment, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on February 21, 2025 and are incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit 99.2.
(a)(3) Exhibits
Listed below are the exhibits which are filed as a part of this Report (according to the number assigned to them in Item 601 of Regulation S-K):
2.1
Reorganization Agreement by and among the Registrant, Liberty Sirius XM Holdings Inc. and Sirius XM Holdings Inc., dated as of December 11, 2023 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the December 2023 8-K).
2.2
First Amendment to Reorganization Agreement, dated as of June 16, 2024, by and among Liberty Media Corporation, Sirius XM Holdings Inc. and Liberty Sirius XM Holdings Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 17, 2024 (File No. 001-35707)).
2.3
Reorganization Agreement, dated as of June 28, 2023, by and between the Registrant and Atlanta Braves Holdings, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Registrant on July 18, 2023 (File No. 001-35707) (the “July 2023 8-K”)).
2.4
Share Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 29, 2024, by and among Liberty Media Corporation, Libertad Especia, S.L.U, Global Racing LX2 S.à.r.l., Global Racing LX1 S.à.r.l., and the other sellers named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Registrant on April 1, 2024 (File No. 001-35707) (the “April 2024 8-K”)).
3-Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws:
3.1
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Registrant on August 3, 2023 (File No. 001-35707) (the “August 2023 8-K”)).
IV-1
3.2
Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed on August 15, 2024 (File No. 001-35707)).
4-Instruments Defining the Rights of Securities Holders, including Indentures:
4.1
Specimen certificate for shares of the Registrant’s Series A Liberty Live common stock, par value $.01 per share (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to the 2023 Form S-4.
4.2
Specimen certificate for shares of the Registrant’s Series B Liberty Live common stock, par value $.01 per share (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to the 2023 Form S-4).
4.3
Specimen certificate for shares of the Registrant’s Series C Liberty Live common stock, par value $.01 per share (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.9 to the 2023 Form S-4).
4.4
Specimen certificate for shares of the Registrant’s Series A Liberty Formula One common stock, par value $.01 per share (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the 2023 Form S-4).
4.5
Specimen certificate for shares of the Registrant’s Series B Liberty Formula One common stock, par value $.01 per share (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the 2023 Form S-4).
4.6
Specimen certificate for shares of the Registrant’s Series C Liberty Formula One common stock, par value $.01 per share (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to the 2023 Form S-4).
4.7
Indenture dated as of October 17, 2013 among the Registrant, as issuer, and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 filed on November 5, 2013 (File No. 001-35707)).
4.8
Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 15, 2016, among the Registrant, as issuer, and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on April 20, 2016 (File No. 001-35707)).
4.9
Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 3, 2023, among the Registrant, as issuer, and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association (as successor to U.S. Bank National Association), as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the August 2023 8-K).
4.10
Description of the Registrant’s Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.*
4.11
The Registrant undertakes to furnish to the Securities and Exchange Commission, upon request, a copy of all instruments with respect to long-term debt not filed herewith.
10-Material Contracts:
10.1+
Liberty Media Corporation 2013 Incentive Plan (Amended and Restated as of March 31, 2015) (the “2013 Plan”) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2015 filed on May 8, 2015 (File No. 001-35707)).
10.2+
Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 filed on February 28, 2014 (File No. 001-35707) (the “2013 10-K”)).
10.3+
Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the 2013 10-K).
10.4+
Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement under the 2013 Plan granted to certain designated award recipients during 2016 and 2017 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 filed on March 1, 2018 (File No. 001-35707) (the “2017 10-K”)).
10.5+
Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement under the 2011 Nonemployee Director Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Starz’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 filed on February 23, 2012 (File No. 001-35294)).
10.6+
Liberty Media Corporation 2006 Deferred Compensation Plan (Amended and Restated as of January 1, 2016) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the 2015 10-K).
10.7+
Amendment to the Liberty Media Corporation 2006 Deferred Compensation Plan (Amended and Restated as of January 1, 2016) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2017 filed on August 9, 2017 (File No. 001-35707)).
10.8+
Services Agreement, dated as of September 23, 2011, by and between Liberty Interactive Corporation and the Registrant (as assignee of Starz (f/k/a Liberty Media Corporation)) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Starz S-4).
IV-2
10.9+
Restated and Amended Employment Agreement dated November 1, 1992, between Tele-Communications, Inc. and John C. Malone (assumed by Liberty Media LLC as of March 9, 1999), and the amendment thereto dated June 30, 1999 and effective as of March 9, 1999, between Liberty Media LLC and John C. Malone (collectively, the “Malone Employment Agreement” (assumed, as amended, by the Registrant as of January 10, 2013)) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to QVC Group, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 filed on February 25, 2010 (File No. 001-33982) (the “Liberty Interactive 2009 10-K”)).
10.10+
Second Amendment to Malone Employment Agreement effective January 1, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Liberty Interactive 2009 10-K).
10.11+
Third Amendment to Malone Employment Agreement effective January 1, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to QVC Group, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 filed on February 27, 2009 (File No. 001-33982) (the “Liberty Interactive 2008 10-K”)).
10.12+
Fourth Amendment to Malone Employment Agreement effective January 1, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the Liberty Interactive 2008 10-K).
10.13+
Liberty Media Corporation Nonemployee Director Deferred Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2015 filed on May 8, 2015 (File No. 001-35707)).
10.14+
Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.55 to the 2015 10-K).
10.15+
Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.56 to the 2015 10-K).
10.16+
Liberty Media Corporation 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2017 Omnibus Plan”) (incorporated by reference to Annex A to the Registrant’s Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the SEC on April 20, 2017 (File No. 001-35707)).
10.17+
Form of 2017 Term Option Agreement under the 2013 Incentive Plan (BATRK and FWONK) for Gregory B. Maffei (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the 2017 Third Quarter 10-Q).
10.18+
Form of 2017 Term Option Agreement under the 2013 Incentive Plan (LSXMK) for Gregory B. Maffei (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the 2017 Third Quarter 10-Q).
10.19
Letter Agreement between Liberty Interactive Corporation and the Registrant relating to the Services Agreement dated September 23, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.60 to the 2017 10-K).
10.20+
Amendment, dated March 12, 2018, of certain of the Registrant’s incentive plans (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 filed on May 9, 2018 (File No. 001-35707)).
10.21
Form of Amended and Restated Indemnification Agreement between the Registrant and its executive officers/directors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 filed on May 9, 2019 (File No. 001-35707)).
10.22+
Executive Employment Agreement, dated effective as of December 13, 2019, between the Registrant and Gregory B. Maffei (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 19, 2019 (File No. 001-35707) (the “2019 8-K”)).
10.23+
Form of Annual Option Award Agreement between the Registrant and Gregory B. Maffei (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the 2019 8-K).
10.24+
Form of Annual Performance-based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement between the Registrant and Gregory B. Maffei (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the 2019 8-K).
10.25+
Form of Upfront Award Agreement between the Registrant and Gregory B. Maffei under the Liberty Media Corporation 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the 2019 8-K).
10.26+
Form of First Amendment to Services Agreement, effective as of December 13, 2019, between the Registrant and Qurate Retail, Inc., Liberty Broadband Corporation, GCI Liberty, Inc. and Liberty TripAdvisor Holdings, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.63 to the 2019 10-K).
10.27+
Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement under the Liberty Media Corporation 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time, for certain officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.57 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 filed on February 26, 2021 (File No. 001-35707)(the “2020 10-K”).
10.28+
Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement under the Liberty Media Corporation 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time, for Nonemployee Directors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.59 to the 2020 10-K).
10.29
Exchange Agreement, dated as of July 28, 2021, by and among John C. Malone, the John C. Malone 1995 Revocable Trust U/A DTD 3/6/1995 and the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 30, 2021 (File No. 001-35707)).
IV-3
10.30+
Liberty Media Corporation 2022 Omnibus Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Annex A to the Registrant’s Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed on April 26, 2022 (File No. 001-35707)).
10.31
Shareholders’ Agreement, dated as of March 29, 2024, by and among Libertad Especia, S.L.U., Dorna Sports, S.L. and certain other equity holders named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the April 2024 8-K).
10.32+
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 filed on May 8, 2024 (File No. 001-35707)).
10.33
Amendment Agreement, dated September 19, 2024, by and among Formula One Management Limited, J.P. Morgan SE, as facility agent, and other financial institutions party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 filed on November 12, 2024 (File No. 001-35707) (the “2024 Q3 10-Q”)).
10.34
2nd Amendment Agreement, dated October 9, 2024, by and between Formula One Management Limited and J.P. Morgan SE, as facility agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the 2024 Q3 10-Q).
10.35
Amended and Restated First Lien Facilities Agreement, dated November 23, 2022, by and among Formula One Management Limited, J.P. Morgan SE, as facility agent, NatWest Markets plc and other financial institutions party thereto, conformed to reflect amendments through October 9, 2024 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the 2024 Q3 10-Q).
10.36+
Letter Agreement, dated January 7, 2025 by and between the Registrant and Derek Chang (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 8, 2025 (File No. 001-35707)).
19.1
Liberty Media Corporation Insider Trading Policy.*
Subsidiaries of Liberty Media Corporation.*
23.1
Consent of KPMG LLP.*
23.2
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.*
31.1
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification.*
31.2
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification.*
Section 1350 Certification. **
Liberty Media Corporation Clawback Policy for the Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 97 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed on February 28, 2024 (File No. 001-35707)).
99.1
Unaudited Attributed Financial Information for Tracking Stock Groups.*
99.2
Audited consolidated financial statements of Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 and for each of the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 (incorporated by reference to Live Nation Entertainment, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 (File No. 001-32601), filed on February 21, 2025).
101.INS
Inline XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.*
101.SCH
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.*
101.CAL
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document.*
101.LAB
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document.*
101.PRE
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document.*
101.DEF
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Definition Document.*
Cover Page Interactive Date File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).*
*
Filed herewith.
**
Furnished herewith.
+
This document has been identified as a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.