[hasker]

The WSJ has an interesting article on Groupon today also. Actually, it is more of an excerpt from "Groupon's Biggest Deal Ever" (http://www.amazon.com/Groupons-Biggest-Deal-Ever-Unbelievabl...). "Behind Groupon's $6 Billion Brushoff" (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142405270230364010457744...)

With their current market cap just above 6bn, it may have actually served everyone better to take the Google deal. Apparently the board did not approve the deal because Google would only agree to an $800mm breakup fee, and antitrust approval would take up to eighteen months. Eighteen months from when they turned down the offer in December 2010 ends right around now! Still I have the highest respect for any founders that turn down a 6bn buyout.

[legutierr]

You assume it was Groupon who turned down the deal and the public "rejection" was not just a face-saving maneuver done as a private favor by Google to Groupon's investors after they themselves had rejected the deal.

[earbitscom]

Let's keep in mind that they rejected a $6B buyout while they have constantly dumped shares every chance they get. There is a reasonable chance that they turned down the offer knowing that it would be easier to cover up shady accounting practices in their IPO than it would be during Google due-diligence.