My thoughts on…Yahoo rejecting Microsoft’s takeover bid
I was gonna post this last night, but I got hit with some serious spyware. But it was no match for the combined forces of Spybot - Search and Destroy and Trojan Remover. Not a sponsored post by the way. Just giving some good products their props.
I’ve been watching Microsoft and Yahoo’s dealings after the merger was proposed, wondering what the outcome would be and what impact it would have on my life. At $44.6 billion, it seemed like they would take the bait. Seemed like a damn good figure to me. But apparently I was wrong, as Yahoo! has rejected the bid, reason being that the offer “substantially undervalues” one of the Internet’s most prized franchises. Well, I’m just a po’ black man. I won’t question the wisdom of the people who’re (who are!) used to that kind of dough.
Yahoo! is obviously playing hard-to-get. It knows it has Micro$oft by the balls, knowing that it’s their only hope of taking down Google. You can tell by their language. “The board of directors is continually evaluating all of its strategic options in the context of the rapidly evolving industry environment and we remain committed to pursuing initiatives that maximize value for all stockholders.” Translation (for those who don’t speak corporate): “We’re looking at our options, and we’ll take the best deal.”
I don’t blame Yahoo! I mean I’m no corporate bigshot, but I know when negotiating, the first offer is rarely the best. Micro$oft called the decision “unfortunate”, but just like a drunk frat boy alone with a coy cheerleader, it will not be denied (big surprise). That’s to be expected. They wouldn’t get where they were if they didn’t play rough. Micro$oft may have its way however, as a clause in Yahoo’s bylaws once thought to protect against hostile takeovers, may be nullified by replacing Yahoo’s 10 directors. Yahoo! isn’t safe yet, but for now, Google can breathe a sign of relief.
