Microsoft Offers 44.6 Billion Bucks For Yahoo!

After a long run of rumors Microsoft has finally made a move to buy Yahoo! In a letter to the Yahoo! Board, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer laid out the plans and intentions for the acquisition. Also detailed in the letter is Microsoft’s previous plans to buy the Internet giant, which was dismissed a potential buyout because the time was not right. And initiatives like Project Panama would help drive growth at Yahoo! One year later and Ballmer thinks nothing has changed, and now is the time for the offer.

The deal would have MS offering $44.6 million when all is said and done. Shareholders are offered $31 or Microsoft stock as part of the buyout. Microsoft has long been interested in penetrating the online market further. Attempts to get in on advertising and search services have proven mildly successful. With the infusion of Yahoo! Ballmer sees this as an opportunity to battle against Google. Of course, the big G isn’t named in the letter specifically, but we see through the subtle knife swipes.

Now that anti-trust issues are once again in the forefront of the public’s mind in relation to Microsoft, the response to such a bold move may not help Microsoft’s public image. The letter itself is simply a statement of intent, and invitation for Yahoo! board members to enter into talks with Microsoft. No deals are being made as of yet, and this may be all that comes of the latest move to acquire Yahoo!