In a joint press release issued December 30, SoftBank Group revealed its intention to acquire DigitalBridge Group’s digital infrastructure business for an enterprise value of approximately $4 billion. SoftBank will pay $16 per share in cash, representing a premium of nearly 5% over DigitalBridge’s closing price of $15.26 on the day of the announcement. The deal underscores SoftBank’s strategy to expand its footprint in data center hardware and next-generation AI infrastructure.

DigitalBridge operates a leading digital infrastructure platform, supplying hardware and services for data centers that host AI and cloud computing workloads. The firm manages roughly $108 billion in assets, including data centers, fiber networks, cell towers and edge facilities. Its portfolio companies, such as DataBank and Vantage Data Centers, reported combined average gross margins exceeding 90% over the past twelve months, reflecting strong pricing power in a sector benefiting from surging AI demand.

Despite the 9.66% intraday share price rally following the news, DigitalBridge’s closing price remained below SoftBank’s offer, signaling investor concern over deal completion risk. Market participants cited SoftBank’s failed tender offer for WeWork as a precedent, recalling the $3 billion tender that was terminated in 2019. Trading volume on the announcement day reached 4 million shares, roughly in line with the three-month daily average, indicating measured participation by institutional holders.

The acquisition is expected to close in mid-2025, subject to customary shareholder approval and regulatory clearances in the U.S. and Japan. SoftBank’s founder Masayoshi Son emphasized the strategic fit with the company’s goal to build an ‘Artificial Super Intelligence platform,’ suggesting potential follow-on investments in DigitalBridge’s network of data centers. Analysts note that integration could unlock cost synergies of $100 million annually through shared procurement and operational efficiencies.