Sprint Nextel had announced it had formed a special committee of independent directors that would review the US$25.5 billion takeover bid by Dish Network.
Last week, Sprint had agreed to evaluate the Dish offer, which challenged the existing agreement Sprint has entered into with Softbank last October. That agreement said that Sprint would sell to Softbank 70% of its shares for the price of US$20.1 billion.
Dish lauded the formation of the special commitee by Sprint, saying it was ready and able to meet with Sprint's special commitee, board of directors, management and advisors in order to discuss the future and its 'willingness to commit to financing.'
The challenge offer made by Dish would require it to raise nearly US$9.3 billion in financing.
The Sprint special committee is headed by Larry Glasscock, James Hance, V. Jane Hill, Rodney O'Neal and William Nuti. It's first edict was to hire BofA Merrill Lynch as financial advisor and Shearman & Sterling LLP as counsel.
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