No dice: Take-Two execs slam EA's fifth buyout offer

Jagi

True Fist of the North Star
OG Investor
Posted Jul 23, 2008 at 04:25AM by Tim Y. Listed in: Nintendo DS, Wii, PlayStation 3, PSP, Xbox 360, Games for Windows Tags: Electronic Arts, Take-Two Interactive, Strauss Zelnick






Take-Two Interactive has sent word that Electronic Arts has once again extended its buyout offer in light of the unsatisfactory number of company shares that were tendered by the previous deadline. This makes it the fifth time that EA has extended its deadline for the parent company of the studio that developed Grand Theft Auto 4 (Xbox 360, PS3).

EA further indicates that only 11,741,339 of T2's outstanding shares were tendered by the previous deadline, which accounts for roughly 15 percent of the latter company's shares by last July 18. In line with this announcement, T2 chairman Strauss Zelnick states that the company's board was committed to maintaining its stockholder value, and that they continued to recommend that their stockholders not give in to EA's offer.

"We are fully engaged in a formal process to evaluate strategic alternatives that have the potential to deliver greater value than EA's inadequate offer," Zelnick said. Take-Two CEO Ben Feder also added his own two cents regarding this matter:

In February, Take-Two’s board rejected EA’s offer as inadequate. Since then, the record-shattering release of Grand Theft Auto IV, the exciting announcement of a BioShock movie, and our ability to deliver financial results exceeding expectations have further demonstrated that our value-creation potential is greater than EA’s offer.

According to GamesIndustry, EA's current offer is expected to expire by this August 18. In the mean time, Take-Two also has a site that explains the details regarding their ongoing row with Electronic Arts. You can access it via the source link below, though you'll also want to visit again in case we receive any updates regarding this news.
 
Statement to Shareholders



TAKE-TWO INTERACTIVE SOFTWARE, INC. RESPONDS TO ELECTRONIC ARTS' EXTENSION OF TENDER OFFER

The Board of Directors of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTWO) thoroughly reviewed Electronic Arts Inc.'s (NASDAQ: ERTS; "EA") unsolicited conditional tender offer with the assistance of its financial and legal advisors and unanimously determined on March 20, 2008 that the cash offer is inadequate in multiple respects and contrary to the best interests of Take-Two's stockholders. Accordingly, the Board recommends that stockholders not tender any of their shares to EA.

Since its initial tender offer, EA has reduced its previous offer of $26 per share of common stock to $25.74 per share in cash, as a result of Take-Two stockholders' approval of amendments to the Company's Incentive Stock Plan at Take-Two's Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

As reported by EA, only 6,210,261 of Take-Two's outstanding shares, or approximately 8.0% of the total, tendered into EA's offer as of 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on May 16, 2008.

The Take-Two Board is currently exploring alternatives to maximize value for stockholders, which may include a business combination with third parties or with EA, remaining independent, or other strategic or financial alternatives that could deliver higher stockholder value than the current EA offer.

The basis for the Board's unanimous decision is set forth in Take-Two's Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 that it filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 26, 2008.

Take-Two's stockholders are strongly encouraged to read carefully the Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 (including any amendments or supplements thereto) prior to making any decisions with respect to EA's tender offer because it contains important information. Free copies of the Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 and the related amendments or supplements thereto that Take-Two has filed with the SEC are available at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.


http://www.taketwovalue.com/home.php
 
Damn just give it up EA. They're acting like that corny ass dude with all the money tryin to talk to the hot chicks at a party. "We don't believe you, you need more people."
 
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