Although there’s nothing official from the company, it’s obvious. Twitter (NYSE:TWTR) is for sale, and there are reportedly numerous buyers circling the company. Which one will end up with the prize?
Many reports have Disney (NYSE:DIS) as the new leader in the race. Disney is reportedly attracted to the data Twitter has about its users, data it can then analyze to make media content decisions. It could also use Twitter’s platform to broadcast ESPN and ABC content to millennials, a group that has been increasingly cutting the cable cord.
Disney also believes it can do a better job selling ads than Twitter has.
Another potential acquirer is Verizon (NYSE:VZ), although this seems a little less likely. Verizon has been spending billions to acquire web content, buying AOL last year and agreeing to buy Yahoo’s core internet business a few months ago.
Verizon’s big problem could end up being a lack of cash. After spending almost $5 billion on Yahoo, spending $17 billion or so to buy Twitter just might not be possible. The same issues could stop Microsoft from making a bid after it spent heavily to buy LinkedIn.
Salesforce.com (NYSE:CRM) has also emerged as a potential suitor. A key exec tweeted positive things about Twitter when the company’s interest was rumored, and with only $600 million in net debt, the company does have the balance sheet strength needed to acquire Twitter.
It seems like every major tech company has at least internally discussed buying Twitter. Stay tuned; it doesn’t look like this story is close to being over yet.
