SoftBank to acquire DigitalBridge for $4b

SoftBank Group has agreed to acquire DigitalBridge Group for US$4 billion in a deal aimed at expanding its AI infrastructure.

DigitalBridge, based in Florida, is an alternative asset manager that invests in digital infrastructure such as data centers, cell towers, and fiber networks.

Under the agreement, SoftBank will pay US$16 per share in cash for all outstanding DigitalBridge stock.

This price represents a 15% premium to DigitalBridge’s closing share price on December 26, and a 50% premium to its 52-week average closing price as of December 4.

DigitalBridge’s board, following a special committee recommendation, unanimously approved the deal.

After the acquisition, DigitalBridge will operate as a separate platform led by CEO Marc Ganzi.

The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to close in the second half of 2026.

🔗 Source: SoftBank

🧠 Food for thought

Implications, context, and why it matters.

Change‑of‑control rules in DigitalBridge funds may cut SoftBank’s $4 billion deal value

The $16 per share cash price covers public equity, but payout will depend on fund‑level terms in the proxy statement (the shareholder document that outlines deal terms and risks) 1. Look for limited partner (LP) consent needs or key‑person clauses (which can restrict a fund if named executives depart) that can curb management fees (ongoing fees paid to the manager) and carried interest (the manager’s share of investment profits) on $108 billion of managed infrastructure assets 2.
The firm closed $11.7 billion for its third flagship infrastructure fund, DigitalBridge Partners III, with 65% from repeat backers 2. Execution risk remains until any fund‑level steps finish after the shareholder vote and disclosures 1.

Data center builders can gain by securing power early then selling shovel‑ready sites to DigitalBridge

Electricity access now limits hyperscale campuses (the largest cloud and AI data center campuses) 3. DigitalBridge is focusing on power, trading long‑term electricity commitments (buying and selling long‑term electricity commitments), with returns from microgrids (localized energy systems) and independent generation (on‑site or dedicated power plants) that can match data centers 3.
Teams that bring shovel‑ready (fully permitted and ready to build) sites with long‑term power purchase agreements (PPAs), like Scala Data Centers’ 1,600 GWh PPA with ENGIE Brasil (the Brazilian arm of global utility ENGIE) through 2033, earn preferred terms 4. Map where the platform’s portfolio companies plan to expand, then target those regions with utility ties or renewable commitments to lift valuations in asset sales or joint ventures 2.