You are here

Verizon to sell Yahoo, AOL for $5b to private equity firm

By AFP - May 04,2021 - Last updated at May 04,2021

This combination of photos shows the Yahoo logo displayed in front of the Yahoo headqarters in Sunnyvale, California and the AOL logo posted on a sign in front of the AOL Inc. offices in Palo Alto, California (AFP file photo)

WASHINGTON — Verizon announced on Monday it was selling faded Internet stars Yahoo and AOL to a private equity firm for $5 billion, ending the media ambitions of the telecoms giant.

The deal with Apollo Global Management also includes the entire Verizon Media unit, including the advertising tech operations of the two brands.

Verizon will retain a 10 per cent stake in the company, which will continue to be led by chief executive Guru Gowrappan, the company said in a statement.

Verizon acquired Yahoo in 2017 for some $4.5 billion, ending the run for one of the storied brands of the early internet. It merged Yahoo into its division with AOL, another star of the early Internet era, which Verizon acquired in 2015.

Both AOL and Yahoo lost traction — and lofty market valuations — as Internet users shifted to newer platforms such as Google and Facebook.

"We are thrilled to help unlock the tremendous potential of Yahoo and its unparalleled collection of brands," said Reed Rayman, private equity partner at Apollo.

"We have enormous respect and admiration for the great work and progress that the entire organisation has made over the last several years, and we look forward to working with Guru, his talented team, and our partners at Verizon to accelerate Yahoo's growth in its next chapter."

Apollo's David Sambur added, "We are big believers in the growth prospects of Yahoo and the macro tailwinds driving growth in digital media, advertising technology and consumer Internet platforms."

 

up
76 users have voted, including you.


Newsletter

Get top stories and blog posts emailed to you each day.

PDF