Sources: Disney Willing To Spend Big To Acquire Up To One-Third Of BAM Tech

Disney is "willing to write a very big check" to buy into BAM Tech, the video tech business that MLBAM "would like to spin off," according to Peter Kafka of RE/CODE. Sources said that Disney is "looking to acquire as much as one-third of BAM Tech," at a valuation approaching $3B, with "'path to control' that would eventually allow it to acquire a controlling interest in the business." If Disney ends up spending anything close to that level, it "would represent the company’s biggest bet on digital video to date." However, Disney "doesn't have a deal yet." Sources added that "other potential bidders, including private equity shop Silver Lake Partners, are still looking at the video spin-off." Disney would "presumably be interested in owning the company so it could build out its own direct-to-consumer streaming services" ( RECODE.net, 5/4 ).