Search Engine Optimization News Blog

Icahn and Microsoft are openly in cahoots now, as the stockholders’ meeting looms imminent. Proposal after proposal is being fired at yahoo, apparently with the sole intent of being turned down. Then the corporate mogul and Redmond software company can roll their eyes and say how they are trying so hard to come to a reasonable agreement – but Yang just won’t play.

Yang and Bostock, on the other hand, steadily hold to their stand that any type of deal on Microsoft’s terms is no deal at all. The wholesale buyout that didn’t happen at $33 a share is most certainly not happening at less than that, and why should a sale of Yahoo’s search business even be considered?

A far more lucrative deal with Google is already inked, and is pending enactment as soon as the vetting by federal and state eyes is completed. Icahn says the partnership with Google was a calculated plot devised for the sole purpose of defeating a Microsoft takeover by making Yahoo a less palatable target.

Another letter to Yahoo shareholders went out yesterday, in which they are exhorted to ignore Icahn and his ‘no-plan’ for Yahoo, and vote the white proxy card come August first. It concludes:

“The choice for Yahoo! stockholders is clear: turn your Company and its uniquely valuable combination of assets over to Carl Icahn and his nominees and allow Microsoft and Mr. Icahn to dismantle the Company and deliver our search business to Microsoft on terms that would be disadvantageous to Yahoo! stockholders, or re-elect your experienced and dedicated Board with a clear strategy and a demonstrated commitment to create value for Yahoo! stockholders. We are prepared to let you, our stockholders, not Microsoft and Carl Icahn, decide what is in your best interests and we look forward to the upcoming vote.

We strongly urge you to vote your WHITE Proxy Card today for your current Board of Directors.”

In the middle of the battle is Yang – he’s going to need a stroke of luck if he hopes to weather the storm unscathed. The multitude of new programs and deals made over the past weeks could be in jeopardy with a change in management, and Yang appears to be holding onto the hope that this fact will raise a desire to keep the board stable.

For what it’s worth, good luck, Mr. Yang!