Private equity firms weighed $100–150B buyout of Microsoft's Xbox

A group of private equity firms recently explored a potential buyout of Microsoft's Xbox gaming unit at a valuation of $100 billion to $150 billion. The talks were preliminary and never became negotiations with Microsoft, but they suggest buyers exist if the division's turnaround falters.

• Potential Xbox deal valued the unit at $100–150 billion
• Discussions were exploratory and never reached Microsoft negotiations
• The private equity firms' identities were not disclosed
• A sale could be an option if the gaming turnaround falters