Report: Verizon positioned to pocket Yahoo for $5B

Verizon is in the final stages of a $5 billion deal to walk away with Yahoo's core internet business, according to Bloomberg. The carrier is positioned to beat out AT&T and other rivals in the final round of bidding for the beleaguered company. The offer doesn't include Yahoo's patents – not as it stands, at least – and it's unclear whether other assets might be included.

Recon Analytics analyst Roger Entner told Bloomberg that "No one could get more out of Yahoo's business than Verizon," and that might be true in theory. Verizon has long been viewed as the front-runner in the Yahoo sweepstakes, and the companies are a good fit on multiple levels. But like other U.S. carriers, Verizon has yet to prove it can build a viable and lucrative digital media business – something that Yahoo failed to do, obviously, despite years of experience and a focus on new media and advertising. Verizon would face a daunting task in reversing Yahoo's course in a market where it has precious little experience. Article