Carlos Ezpeleta Named MotoGP Group Deputy CEO
· Yahoo Sports
Son of Carmelo Ezpeleta becomes second in command
The MotoGP Group has appointed Carlos Ezpeleta as Deputy Chief Executive Officer, installing him as second-in-command of the structure that runs the World Championship while his father Carmelo remains CEO. It's a succession plan taking shape in plain sight, and a signal that Liberty Media intends to grow the sport through the same family leadership that built it rather than around it.
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Carmelo stays in command, but Carlos takes on a broader remit at a moment when Liberty is pushing hard to expand MotoGP's international footprint and lift its commercial value. Since completing its acquisition of the commercial rights holder - the American group already owns Formula 1 - Liberty has repeatedly named international and commercial growth as the core goal of the deal. Liberty acquiredroughly 84% on July 3, 2025, with the remaining 16% staying with prior management (including Carmelo Ezpeleta). The deal was worth about €4.3 billion (US$5.0 billion at the time), and also included the World Superbike Championship and various other motorcycle racing properties.
Carlos Ezpeleta could be considered what the kids today call a "nepo baby," but he does have nearly two decades of experience with various roles within MotoGP. He started inside the structure in 2007 as an intern handling crash footage for Race Direction, joined Dorna full-time in 2013, and worked through Medical Team coordinator and Safety Car driver roles before taking charge of the sports department in 2017. He became Managing Director in 2020 and Chief Sporting Officer from 2021, according to GPOne. Crash.net notes he most recently served as chief commercial officer. In those roles he handled the sporting and technical side day to day, dealt with promoters and organizers, and sat in the Grand Prix Commission discussions with the FIM, IRTA, and MSMA - covering regulations, safety, calendar, and new markets.
"It is a great honor to take on this role at such an exciting moment for MotoGP," Carlos Ezpeleta said. "With incredible fans and partners around the world, I look forward to working with Liberty Media and the entire MotoGP community to reach new audiences, create new opportunities and unlock the sport's full potential."
Carmelo Ezpeleta (top left), and Carlos Ezpeleta (top right) with KTM's Pit Beirer.Carmelo Ezpeleta framed the promotion around his son's breadth: "His experience spans every part of our business, and his leadership, vision and passion for the sport make him the right person to help guide MotoGP into its next chapter." Liberty CEO Derek Chang added that MotoGP has "built a strong global foundation" and that Carlos "has the experience, vision and deep understanding" to lead the transformation.
The MotoGP Group has flagged further additions to the management team "in due course." At the very least, the Group will need to decide who will be handling Carlos Ezpeleta's former duties as Chief Sporting Officer.
Carmelo Ezpeleta, who turned 80 last month, has steered the sport through the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID pandemic, and with his son is now positioned as a clear successor. Liberty, for now, is backing that management model rather than dismantling it.
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