The Wall Street Journal is reporting that a group of investors is on the verge of a deal to buy GoDaddy Group Inc., the company best known for registering Internet domains as well as its sometimes-controversial Super Bowl commercials that often feature buxom women wearing little clothing. The deal is said to value the company at between $2 and $2.5 billion.
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The buyers are said to include private equity firm KKR & Co. and Silver Lake Partners, who most recently sold Skype to Microsoft in a deal worth $8.5 billion. Private equity and venture capital firm Technology Crossover Adventures is also reported as a minor investor.
An official announcement about the deal could come as early as next week. However, the Journal’s sources said the talks have not been finalized, and the deal could collapse at any time. When contacted, GoDaddy told PCMag that it had no comment.
GoDaddy’s CEO, Bob Parsons, recently made headlines after he killed an elephant during a recent trip to Africa. Some GoDaddy customers threatened to take their business elsewhere in the wake of the killing. Parsons defended his actions, saying elephant hunts are necessary to help feed local villagers and prevent the animals from destroying crops.
A key part of the deal is that Parsons will continue as CEO. Parsons founded the company in 1997 and is an outspoken leader of the company, producing regular videos for his vlog and tweeting often.
Back in September the Journal reported that GoDaddy had hired the services of investment bank Qatalyst Partners to shop the company around to potential buyers. Besides Internet domain registration, GoDaddy also offers Web hosting, email, security, Web design, search, and other business services.
