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May 5, 2008 5:52 PM PDT

Yang courts Microsoft: Show me the money

Posted by Dan Farber

Yahoo CEO Jerry Yang talked to a few press outlets Monday, opening the door to further negotiations if Microsoft is willing to show him the money, or what he considers the appropriate price.

Microsoft's final bid was $33 and Yahoo held out for $37, or something close to that number, but Ballmer decided on Saturday not to continue the courtship. With Yahoo flaunting its possible ad serving deal with Google and holding out for an 80 percent premium over the January 31 closing stock price, Yang appeared to overplay his hand.

According to Reuters, Yang said it was Microsoft who decided to cease negotiations. With shareholder lawsuits piling up in the wake of the failed deal, the stock suffering, and no other suitor in sight, Yang may now be looking for rapprochement with Ballmer.

"If they have anything new to say, we would be open...I am more than willing to listen," Yang told Reuters.

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Add a Comment (Log in or register) 22 comments (Page 1 of 2)
by Commander_Spock May 5, 2008 6:46 PM PDT
Just as was said earlier, leave them (Yahoo) alone (walk away); and, they will bring their "tales" behind them. ;-) M :-$ M :-)
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by Melekai May 5, 2008 6:51 PM PDT
I've heard of "buyers remorse"... but what is the saying for "oops I should have sold remorse"?
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by Commander_Spock May 5, 2008 6:53 PM PDT
Microsoft needs Yahoo; and, Yahoo needs Microsoft; and, both need each other in "IBM's Lotus SmartSuite" - Yang-like ways! That is the bottom line! ;-) M :-$ M :-)
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by john55440 May 5, 2008 6:58 PM PDT
You blew it Jerry --- and your lame attempts to rewrite history aren't convincing. It's too late now. Enjoy your "new improved" stock price. -LOL
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by assman May 5, 2008 7:01 PM PDT
Yang is a moron.. he was getting way too greedy and let his company and shareholders down. I'm sure he managed to bankrupt a few investors (who should have realized the risk). Yahoo is not worth $50B. Not even close. Ballmer is desperate and clearly was willing to go overboard just to one-up Google's Youtube deal. Now he won't get nearly as much as was originally offered. This man simply doesn't know how to run a company and played right into Microsoft's hands. Anyway, I wasn't personally hurt by his moves as I don't own YHOO stock. I was thinking about buying today.. looks like I should have for some quick cash. It'll go back up tomorrow at least 5%
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by assman May 5, 2008 7:01 PM PDT
Yang is a moron.. he was getting way too greedy and let his company and shareholders down. I'm sure he managed to bankrupt a few investors (who should have realized the risk). Yahoo is not worth $50B. Not even close. Ballmer is desperate and clearly was willing to go overboard just to one-up Google's Youtube deal. Now he won't get nearly as much as was originally offered. This man simply doesn't know how to run a company and played right into Microsoft's hands. Anyway, I wasn't personally hurt by his moves as I don't own YHOO stock. I was thinking about buying today.. looks like I should have for some quick cash. It'll go back up tomorrow at least 5%
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by someguy999 May 5, 2008 7:17 PM PDT
Wow... this even further goes to show how letting a 39 year old child run a 40+ billion dollar company single handledly is about the worse business move of all time. What's wrong Jerry? Lonely in your sandbox alone, especially since most of your true top talent has already fled or probably has interviews lined up (either way with or without a merger). You sort of made your bed, and you communication out to your troops that its time to execute on your plans... its just too bad no one knows what they are (including your employees).
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by wango2007 May 5, 2008 7:35 PM PDT
Yang is going to go down in history as the man who let the big deal get away. An ego-manical fool? Likely. His new spin on how it all went down is not passing the credibility test. New leadership is needed at Yahoo. Yang is not competent it appears.
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by JCPayne May 5, 2008 8:22 PM PDT
Yahoo doing fine all on it's own anyways.... They had a nice quarter last time around... They can do it again. The share drop is expected. If the deal had gone through plenty of people would have shed the stock after the deal too.... People ride these waves and as soon as a stock peaks they try to sell out.... That's what happened here.
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by JCPayne May 5, 2008 8:47 PM PDT
Yahoo should try to snag ClearChannel or XM-Sirius Radio. Then they can add one of those two to Yahoo's media arsenal.
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  • About Outside the Lines

  • Dan Farber is the editor in chief of CNET News. He has covered technology for more than two decades, and previously served as editor in chief of ZDNet, PCWeek and Macweek. Outside the Lines explores the intersection of business and technology.

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