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SoftBank to Acquire DigitalBridge in $4 Billion Deal to Strengthen AI Infrastructure Strategy

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SoftBank Group has agreed to acquire digital infrastructure investor DigitalBridge Group in a deal valued at $4 billion, the companies announced on Monday. The acquisition marks another step in SoftBank’s effort to reshape its portfolio around artificial intelligence and the computing infrastructure that supports it.

Under the terms of the agreement, SoftBank will pay $16 per share for DigitalBridge, representing a 15% premium over the company’s closing price on Friday. The offer values DigitalBridge at approximately $2.92 billion, with the transaction expected to close in the second half of next year. Following the announcement, DigitalBridge shares rose about 9.7% to $15.27, extending gains after a 45% rally earlier this month when takeover talks were first reported.

The deal significantly expands SoftBank’s exposure to digital infrastructure assets, including data centers, cell towers, fiber networks, small-cell systems and edge infrastructure. DigitalBridge’s portfolio includes major assets such as Vantage Data Centers, Zayo, Switch and AtlasEdge, positioning the firm as a key player in the backbone of global data and connectivity.

SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son has repeatedly emphasized the importance of computing power in enabling next-generation AI applications. The acquisition aligns with his broader vision to capitalize on surging demand for data processing capacity driven by artificial intelligence workloads.

Industry reaction was cautiously optimistic. Jacob Yahiayan, CEO of Urban Logistic Advisory Services, an investor in DigitalBridge, described the acquisition as “a milestone in solving critical infrastructure issues,” while noting that SoftBank remains far from controlling a significant share of the global hardware- and software-as-a-service market.

Founded in 1991 as Colony Capital, DigitalBridge shifted its strategy under CEO Marc Ganzi, pivoting away from traditional real estate toward digital infrastructure and rebranding in 2021. Ganzi will continue to lead DigitalBridge as a separately managed platform following the acquisition.

As of September 30, DigitalBridge managed approximately $108 billion in assets, making it one of the largest dedicated investors in the digital infrastructure ecosystem. The company is also involved in the Stargate project, alongside OpenAI, Oracle and Abu Dhabi-based investor MGX, a large-scale computing initiative aimed at supporting advanced AI development.

DigitalBridge-Led Group Advances in Bid to Acquire WideOpenWest, Deal Expected Soon

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A group led by DigitalBridge and Crestview Partners is moving forward with negotiations to acquire WideOpenWest (WOW), a broadband and cable services provider, in a potential deal that could conclude a year-long effort to take the company private, according to sources familiar with the talks.

The discussions between the bidding group and WideOpenWest have intensified in recent weeks, and the deal could come together in the next few weeks unless there are any unforeseen complications. However, the parties are still working through some of the deal’s terms, and it remains uncertain whether an agreement will be finalized.

In May, WideOpenWest received a non-binding offer from the group, valued at approximately $406 million, representing a 32% premium over the company’s closing price at the time. The latest market price of the company’s shares is near the offer price.

WideOpenWest, headquartered in Englewood, Colorado, provides broadband and cable services to nearly 2 million customers across the Midwest and Southeast United States. The company has also made efforts to restructure its debt in recent months, raising about $200 million in October.