Who Will Buy Brocade's Networking Business?
With Broadcom revealing plans to acquire Brocade and then divest its networking business, which includes Ruckus Wireless, analysts are closely examining who the potential buyer could be.
"Frankly, I think people would be surprised at how many interested buyers there are," one source familiar with the situation told CRN, who declined to be identified. "Those buyers are a mix of financial sponsors, so private equity companies and also strategic buyers. ... There is a very strong desire from all the parties – Brocade, Broadcom and any potential buyer – a strong desire to move as quickly as possible."
In a research note, RBC Capital Markets analyst Mitch Steves said the sale of Brocade's networking business come at a price tag of around $2.2 billion. Brocade's networking business is at an annual run rate of about $1 billion, while Brocade purchased Ruckus for $1.2 billion.
CRN breaks down the five potential buyers and the five companies that are unlikely to buy the Brocade business, according to analysts.
