Category: Mergers, Acquisitions and Divestitures

Trump’s Venezuelan Oil Deal Relies on a Powerful and Divisive Partner

The New York Times – Business:
The administration will work with a private Venezuelan oil company that has close ties to the country’s government.
Forbes Suspends Shook Research Rankings as It Investigates $6 Million Payment

The New York Times – Business:
The magazine, which is reviewing a payment from the founder of Shook Research to its former top editor, also canceled a summit in Las Vegas scheduled for October.
Research Firm’s Founder Explains $6 Million Payment to Fired Forbes Editor

The New York Times – Business:
RJ Shook of Shook Research said he paid Randall Lane, the former top editor at Forbes, for “services and guidance” in partnering with Forbes and later selling his research firm.
Los Angeles Dodgers Owner’s Troubles Roil Insurance World

The New York Times – Business:
Federal investigations of Mark Walter’s business empire have put a spotlight on private-equity-owned insurers that invest premiums in risky assets.
Netflix, YouTube and Amazon Want You to Watch Everything From One App: Theirs

The New York Times – Business:
YouTube is racing to catch up to Amazon, which already offers users the chance to subscribe to services like HBO Max from within its app. Netflix is increasingly open to the idea, too.
California Cancels Talks With Paramount Over Warner Bros. Merger

The New York Times – On the Runway:
The attorney general of California, one of 12 states suing to block the $111 billion deal, accused Paramount of leaking and misrepresenting earlier settlement discussions.
Paramount and California to Hold Preliminary Talks on Warner Bros. Deal

The New York Times – Business:
The discussions on Monday are an early effort to resolve a lawsuit that California and 11 other states filed to block Paramount’s $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.
Stripe Buys A.I. Start-Up OpenRouter for $7.5 Billion

The New York Times – Business:
The deal is significant for the artificial intelligence industry, uniting Stripe’s payments business with OpenRouter’s helping businesses direct their spending on A.I. models.
Theater Chains Back Paramount-Warner Deal That States Say Will Hurt Them

The New York Times – Business:
America’s three largest movie theater companies have lined up behind David Ellison’s $111 billion merger of Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery.
Paramount Asks States to Shoulder Costs of Delaying Warner Bros. Deal

The New York Times – Business:
Paramount’s $111 billion deal to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery has been postponed until the conclusion of a trial, scheduled for March.
Jeff Bezos Buys a Piece of Liverpool Football Club

The New York Times – Business:
It is the first known investment by Mr. Bezos, one of the world’s richest men, into a sports team.
Inside the $12.5 Billion Deal for the Lakers

The New York Times – Business:
The transaction, hashed out last weekend, reflects the huge profit potential of major sports franchises.