Sources close to Google indicate Google will reject Yahoo
The Google-Yahoo-Microsoft triangle is turning out to be somewhat like Adam Sandler's infamous "Love Stinks" song from the film the Wedding Singer. First Microsoft wanted Yahoo, but Yahoo's board didn't want Microsoft. After the rejection, Yahoo expressed interested in a Google alliance, but sources close to Google say that the company isn't interested in being partners with Yahoo anymore. Google just wants Microsoft and Yahoo to leave it and each other alone.
Microsoft is trying to force itself on Yahoo by bringing its bid directly to stockholders in an unsolicited buyout offer, in a hostile takeover attempt. To beat off Microsoft's ardent advances, Yahoo's board hoped to establish a possible advertising alliance with rival Google. However, inside sources now say that despite some minor initial interest, Google is unlikely to pursue a pact with Yahoo.
While Google refused to public comment on the issue, sources say that it is concerned that a possible pact would attract antitrust scrutiny in the U.S. and abroad, and thus its not interested anymore. Another unsaid factor may be that Google does not want to associate itself with sinking Yahoo, which is laying off hundreds of workers, while promising desparately to enact "big changes." In a way Google doesn't need an alliance with Yahoo to get its share of advertising -- its already getting it, piece by piece each month.
With the prospect of a Google deal quickly unravelling, Yahoo has to resort to desparate measures like the purchase of advertiser Maven to try to avoid the Microsoft buyout. Veteran portfolio manager Bill Miller of Legg Mason Inc. thinks that it won't be enough and that Yahoo "is in a tough spot if it wishes to remain independent." His team thinks that Microsoft will likely up its offer slightly, and the shareholders will override the board decision.
Significant shareholders of Yahoo are also quoted by the Wall Street Journal as saying a deal with Microsoft was extremely likely, with one putting the probability at 95 percent. As these are the people who will be deciding the fate of the offer, this is a promising sign for Microsoft.
Amidst all the fuss, Yahoo quietly began to send out its layoff notices to the 1,000 workers losing their jobs. The layoffs were established before the Microsoft bid became public.
