Deal With Marvel Makes Disney/ERTS Combo Less Likely
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Well, so much for the Disney (DIS) buys Electronic Arts (ERTS) theory.

Earlier this month, Janney Montgomery Scott analyst Tony Wible picked up coverage of Disney, in part based on the theory that the company might Electronic Arts, to combine the EA Sports franchise with ESPN to create an all-media sports giant. Wible wasn’t the first person to come up with the concept; the Wall Street Journal floated the idea last November.

But with today’s news that Disney is spending $4 billion to Marvel (MVL) - Goofy, meet the Hulk. Hulk, this is Goofy - the prospects for a near-term deal to buy ERTS seems a lot less likely. How many multi-billion dollar acquisitions can Disney take on at once?

While the Marvel acquisition doesn’t flat-out preclude Disney buying ERTS, it certainly suggests a deal is unlikely in the short run.