Now that the go shop is done, and no one else came forward to buy us, Broadcom has VMware by the b--ls, if they can convince regulators.
But it will take time. The EU is already saying it will go to phase 2, which is 12 to 18 months. DOJ could also do a long review. Customers are protesting because of monopolistic pricing that Broadcom tends to apply to acquired products.
During that period of waiting, the execs can't go anywhere if they want to cash their millions. They have to still "run" the company, when thousands of employees will flee. In fact, technically, the execs have to stay till the transaction closes and then "get fired", in order to get their accelerated vesting. If they don't get fired in the first year post Broadcom, they don't collect their millions, which will be like white collar prison time, watching while the company is falling apart.
Then to top it all, there is a small chance the deal doesn't go through 18 months from now, which is the worst of all scenarios. Broadcom can walk away paying the breakup fee, their business will be fine. VMware, however, will have lost 18 months as a rudderless ship, with thousands of employees leaving, and ultimately left stranded at the altar. The VMW stock price then drops to $50, and maybe another buyer comes in to buy the carcass for cheap. This scenario is unlikely, but we won't know for over a year.
In the meantime, no one at VMware will have any incentive to build products or sell products. The campuses will be empty, and people will work lazily, taking lots of vacation time.
All along, Broadcom will be doing planning meetings to fire 70% of the company to get to their profit goals if the transaction closes.
So, best option for all of us employees who don't have rich change in control comp packages - find a better job! Beats waiting in a white collar prison, only to get laid off.