Apple buys Disney: Insiders believe they know how Disney CEO Bob Iger will find a new way to come out in the last two years of his life when he regained control of the company less than three years after handing it over to Bob. One of Iger’s former employees at Disney said: «He’s going to sell the company». This is the life’s work of a master negotiator. The legacy of Eiger can be further strengthened by making a deal with Apple (or another major buyer).
Disney’s former top manager told TheWrap that the two companies have «similar brands» and can profit from the merger, and that «he will take it – he will become the last CEO of Disney». Under the direction of Eiger, Disney spent about $100 billion to acquire Pixar Studios in 2006, a Marvel superhero in 2009, Lucasfilm Studios, which made «Star Wars»But there was one merger he openly lamented as a tipping point that was missed: the merger with Apple. Several parts of Eiger’s 2019 autobiography, «The Journey of Life», are dedicated to the time spent by the executive with Steve Jobs as a friend.
He and his wife Willow Bay were good friends with Steve and Lauren Powell Jobs, and they all went on a trip to Hawaii together. Even standing at Steve Jobs’ grave, he recalled how the widow of the late technology pioneer said, I asked him if we could trust you.Then Steve noticed: «I love this guy». Eiger says: «The mood has returned». Yes, there are restrictions, the most significant of which is the death of Jobs in 2011. And with a market value of $180 billion, the acquisition of Disney will bring a solid premium of almost $200 billion.
While regulators have stepped up their efforts to disrupt other recently proposed mega-media deals, a deal of this size is likely to elicit considerable resistance from antitrust legislation. This week, a federal judge rejected Paramount Global’s $2 billion sale of its subsidiary, Simon & Schuster, to Penguin Random House, while European regulators are studying Microsoft’s plan to buy the gaming giant Activision Blizzard for $69 million.
Apple CEO Tim Cook is a notorious win-win because during his tenure as CEO he made several acquisitions. In April, he may have given Wall Street an important signal. At a conference call with investors, Cook said he was willing to buy a large company if it meant that they would get some valuable intellectual property or a famous brand.To acquire intellectual property and bring new experience, «we are constantly looking for a company to buy», Cook said. If there’s a chance for something more, we won’t miss it. At this conference call, I will not share my entire list with you, but know that we are actively looking.
Apple, which tries to stream water to capture blockbusters like «Ted Lasso», undoubtedly has the financial firepower to realize an acquisition of this magnitude. The Cupertino corporation has a cash reserve of $48.3 billion, although borrowing costs are rising as interest rates rise.
