bb.com sold for $100,000,000.00

[Delaware_Dad]

FYI:

http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/06...r-100-million/

Confirmed by Ryan, oops, Mr. Ryan:

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...#post114548011

Interesting though.. Anyone notice that, on the main forums page, a particular forum was taken off / moved? "Steriods" hmmm interesting timing...

:-)

[fitnessman]

Interesting though.. Anyone notice that, on the main forums page, a particular forum was taken off / moved? "Steriods" hmmm interesting timing...

:-)

In this day and age it's a wise move.

It is a sub forum under the IFBB forum.

[greenamphibious]

no loss... AAS made Fitnessman neg me to hell and back LOL

[Stenn]

Here is an interview where I discuss that exact issue:

http://www.muscletime.com/news/lates...-bodybuilding/

I am 100% committed to this! You have my word.

Ryan

Thanks Ryan. It means a lot to me that you're willing to personaly reply to my concern. I read the interview, and this is the part that worries me:

"Liberty has a controlling interest so they could make changes if they wanted to, but they have promised to allow us to continue to run the business as we see fit."

This was the same kind of promise that was made to the president of a 25-year old company I worked for when it was purchased by a British conglomerate. Two years later the president was out of a job, control was taken away from local management teams, product lines got cut, and the employees quit in droves because the company became a crappy place to work. When I asked the president, "Would you like to have done things differently." he replied, "Yes I would." He made good money on the deal, but seeing his company and his employees treated badly broke his heart.

This is not an isolated incident. Most of my collegues had experienced a corporate acquisition at one point in their careers. Without exception, the acquisition was bad for the employees and bad for the customers. Granted, this was while I was in the high-tech industry. Online retail may be different. I currently belong to partnerships that purchase apartment complexes and I've seen how acquisitions can be the best possible thing to happen for both the physical asset and the tenant community. I have high hopes for the future of bb.com because I've grown very fond of and even dependant on both the store and the forum. I hope that if they do change that it's only for the better. I also hope that the promises you have received from Liberty Media are in writing and endure in perpetuity. If not, we could all be in for a bumpy ride.

[Mark1T]

Here is an interview where I discuss that exact issue:

http://www.muscletime.com/news/lates...-bodybuilding/

I am 100% committed to this! You have my word.

Ryan

More power to you, Ryan. I love capitalism.

[never2late]

Congrats to bb.com. I was around during the early days, then decided to register in 2004. To those early on the web, the changes that have taken place are obvious -- people, content and delivery. I think it's a good time to sell. I've had a science-based site since 1994, and I'm thinking the same thing -- although with many less zeros attached to the amount!

[Channel1]

100 mill, wow. That is alot of protein powder.


Congrats to Ryan & company. Of all the sites I got to, this one is the best of them all, besides a couple of porno site. LOL

[Hey-Iwas51]

Could not happen to a nicer guy!

I have high hopes for the future of bb.com because I've grown very fond of and even dependant on both the store and the forum. I hope that if they do change that it's only for the better. .

ME TOO!

I also hope that the promises you have received from Liberty Media are in writing and endure in perpetuity. If not, we could all be in for a bumpy ride.

Well, if it does turn into a bumpy ride, with $100m, Ryan could always go and start a new BB.com (BB.net?) Depending, of course, on the non-compete clause he might have signed... Had a good friend who built a business up over about 6 or 8 years, and sold it off... (nothing on this scale) He retired at the age of 35. Couldn't find anyone to play with. Tried lots of different hobbys... Finally got bored enough, that at the end of the five year non-compete clause, he started up a new business, exactly like the first.

The good news here is that Ryan is still very much involved, at least for now!

Dan

[Noely Roller]

i guess since i'm an employee and friend (yes, i've worked here for a while so that can happen) i'm not sure that my .02 goes very far as it may seem to be biased.

i trust him. i trust what he says. i know him and he's a very genuine person. he's humble and appreciates everyone (family, friends, employees, customers, and forum members) for making a simple website/store that started in his garage into what it is today.

thanks for listening

[GreenWave1]

Congratulations Ryan. You give us a good deal on the supps and a free playground. Much appreciated. I'm glad to see that your hard work has paid off for you.

[joed]

More power to you, Ryan. I love capitalism.

I'm with you M1T. Congratulations from a long time supporter Ryan. You've assembled a great team including, first and foremost to forum users, your mods.

[wide lats]

I dont give a flying toot who bought it, i hope its a bodybuilder or each and every one of us all will be put into fitness USA hell, i'm talking about sppandex and more than just silly rules appearing, good moderators being de-modded and people who dont know jack being put into moderator spot - that would not be good.

[Hibiscus09]

More power to you, Ryan. I love capitalism.

Me too!

Congrats!!