Microsoft to Yahoo!: You've got 3 weeks before we get hostile

by Brad Linder Apr 5th 2008

OK, we know it's a long shot, but wouldn't it be great if Microsoft succeeded in its bid to buy Yahoo! and then renamed the company Microhoo? Because when you type "Microhoo" into Yahoo!'s search engine right now, one of the suggestions is "Microhoods." And given Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer's recent letter to the Yahoo! Board, that seems like as accurate a description as any.

Essentially, Ballmer told the board that they've got 3 weeks to accept Microsoft's offer, currently valued at $42 billion in cash and stocks. If the board refuses, Microsoft will take the offer directly to Yahoo!'s shareholders and nominate a slate of board members to replace the current board.

The original offer was 62% higher than Yahoo!'s closing share price on January 31, one day before the offer was made. Ballmer says the goal was to facilitate a "speedy and ultimately friendly transaction." Since that hasn't happened, Ballmer indicates Microsoft might be willing to get a little less friendly, and suggests that Microsoft would drop its offer price if the company has to resort to a proxy contest.

Tags: acquisition, merger, microhoo, microhoods, microsoft, yahoo

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

braaak said 9:04PM on 4-05-2008

MSFT should lower their offer if they don't get Yahoo to agree tomorrow. YHOO's mgmt and board are being quite irresponsible.

Tomheivers said 9:22PM on 4-05-2008

But they just want MOAR money :(

Mark said 8:08AM on 4-06-2008

I hope Google buys them. Can you imagine Ballmer's reaction, his head would probably explode.

Franklin said 8:21AM on 4-06-2008

Google probably won't (or can't) buy Yahoo. But I wouldn't be surprised if somebody other than Microsoft buys Yahoo. The fact that Microsoft is trying to make an aggressive move for Yahoo is only making Yahoo more attractive for another, probably more desirable suitor to make a bid. It would not surprise me if News Corp. or a Chinese or a Russian company bought Yahoo. If it turns out to be either of the latter two, that would send shockwaves throughout the Internet industry, and it would also hammer in the thought that Microsoft is irrelevant when it comes to the Internet.

Transcontinental said 8:21AM on 4-06-2008

I'd be surprised anyone else than Microsoft be ready to pay $42 billion for Yahoo! at this time! That's why they started high :)

Itiro said 7:44AM on 4-07-2008

"You will be assimilated"

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