Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing fans show their support prior to the F1 Grand Prix of The Netherlands at Circuit Zandvoort on August 27, 2023 in Zandvoort, Netherlands. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool
Formula 1 Hot News

F1: Liberty Media acquires global event provider Quint

Posted by AR1 staff

Liberty Media, the owner of the Formula 1 group, announced that it had acquired a 90+% stake in QuintEvents to bolster its F1 operations.

The deal values Quint, a global ticketing and event provider, in the region of $313 million and brings the company into Liberty’s Formula 1 Group stable.

Quint already has a pre-existing partnership with F1 via the operation of the F1 Experiences hospitality program and has other partnerships that include the likes of MotoGP, the NBA, NASCAR Chicago Experiences, two NFL franchises, the NHL, Kentucky Derby and more.

F1 Hospitality track tour 2022 USGP at COTA
F1 Hospitality track tour 2022 USGP at COTA

The biggest test for Liberty, the Formula 1 Group and QuintEvents is on the horizon in the form of the Las Vegas Grand Prix in November.

A unique Grand Prix on the F1 calendar, Vegas is being promoted by Formula 1 itself and undoubtedly Quint will have a big part to play in the running of the event, with it being no secret that the race in Nevada has presented several high-cost hospitality opportunities with numerous reports of six-figure price tags for various ticketing packages for the race.

Press Release

Liberty Media Corporation (“Liberty Media”) (Nasdaq: LSXMA, LSXMB, LSXMK, FWONA, FWONK, LLYVA, LLYVK) announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire greater than 90% of QuintEvents, LLC (“Quint”) in a transaction valuing the company at $313 million. Quint will be attributed to Liberty Media’s Formula One Group tracking stock, and the transaction, which is expected to be accretive, will be funded with cash on hand.

Quint is a global provider of official ticket, hospitality and travel experiences to many of the world’s most prominent sports and entertainment events. Quint packages and sells ticket and hospitality inventory with unique experiences through marquee relationships with sporting event rightsholders including Formula 1 (“F1”), the NBA, the Kentucky Derby and MotoGP.

“We are excited for Quint to join the Liberty family and strengthen our position in sports and live entertainment,” said Greg Maffei, Liberty Media President and CEO. “Brian Ruede, Brian Learst and their team have built an innovative business that delivers unique consumer experiences at the world’s most sought-after events. Quint is a high-growth company with attractive free cash conversion. As a commercial partner to F1, Quint has proven their expertise in product development and sales through their creation of the F1 Experiences program. We have high conviction in the demand for premium, live events and will work with Quint’s management to enhance F1 offerings and bring Quint’s services to more sports.”

“We could not be more thrilled for the Quint team to join forces with Liberty Media,” said Brian Ruede, Quint CEO. “This has been an incredible journey and is a transformative moment for Quint and our position in the experiential and travel economy. Liberty Media is the right partner for our next evolution of growth. Together, we can deepen our commitment to our existing partnerships through the continued development of our tech stack and service offering, while providing a pathway to expand into complementary vertical markets that will enhance our customer and partner experience. This is just the beginning.”

F1 and Quint will continue to be operated as separate companies. The enhanced partnership creates numerous growth opportunities within F1 and for Quint’s other partnerships like the NBA, Kentucky Derby and MotoGP. The transaction will accelerate Quint’s specialized sales engine and leverage onsite event expertise to deliver best-in-class experiences to fans.

Closing is anticipated by year-end and is subject to customary closing conditions, including applicable antitrust filings.

J.P. Morgan is acting as exclusive financial advisor and Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner is serving as legal advisor to Quint. O’Melveny & Myers is serving as legal advisor to Liberty Media.

About Liberty Media Corporation

Liberty Media Corporation operates and owns interests in a broad range of media, communications and entertainment businesses. Those businesses are attributed to three tracking stock groups: the Liberty SiriusXM Group, the Formula One Group and the Liberty Live Group. The businesses and assets attributed to the Liberty SiriusXM Group (NASDAQ: LSXMA, LSXMB, LSXMK) include Liberty Media’s interest in SiriusXM. The businesses and assets attributed to the Formula One Group (NASDAQ: FWONA, FWONK) include Liberty Media’s subsidiary Formula 1 and other minority investments. The businesses and assets attributed to the Liberty Live Group (NASDAQ: LLYVA, LLYVK) include Liberty Media’s interest in Live Nation and other minority investments.

About QuintEvents

QuintEvents is the industry-leading provider of official ticket and hospitality packages to many of the world’s most prominent sports and entertainment events. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, with offices in six countries, Quint’s global footprint and proprietary technology platform continue to be the foundation of their exponential growth. Quint’s innovative programs enable partnership properties to expand fan experiences and corporate client entertainment opportunities in a way that reflects the quality and prestige of those brands. Quint has a portfolio of 15+ official property partnerships servicing over 90 events including Formula 1, NBA, Kentucky Derby, MotoGP, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, NASCAR Chicago Experiences, Breeders Cup, Belmont Stakes and the NHL.

Forward-Looking Statements

This communication includes certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including certain statements relating to the potential consummation of the acquisition of Quint and the receipt of applicable antitrust approvals and clearances. All statements other than statements of historical fact are “forward-looking statements” for purposes of federal and state securities laws. These forward-looking statements generally can be identified by phrases such as “possible,” “potential,” “intends” or “expects” or other words or phrases of similar import or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “may,” “might,” “should,” “would,” “could,” or similar variations. These forward-looking statements involve many risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this communication, and Liberty Media expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in Liberty Media’s expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. Please refer to the publicly filed documents of Liberty Media, including its most recent Forms 10-K and 10-Q, as such risk factors may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other reports Liberty Media subsequently files with the SEC, for additional information about Liberty Media and about the risks and uncertainties related to Liberty Media’s business which may affect the statements made in this communication.