Yahoo Prepares For Battle Against Icahn and Microsoft

(NewsVisual, powered by IntellectSpace) -- Yahoo Inc (NASDAQ: YHOO) is facing even more heat from it's opponents as Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ: MSFT) and billionaire investor Carl Icahn continue to challenge the company's board.

Microsoft and Icahn are still pushing for a deal, despite resistance from Yahoo's leadership, and are now circumventing the higher-ups by publicly detailing why such a move would benefit the company's shareholders.

Icahn is set on replacing the board and Microsoft is insistent on a break-up of Yahoo, two proposals that have been quickly rejected by Yahoo's leaders. Despite the board's obvious lack of enthusiasm for Icahn and Microsoft's involvement, the company has agreed to an August 1 shareholder meeting to determine whether the current Directors stay or leave.

According to an IntellectSpace Knowledge Map, Yahoo's Board of Directors composed of a number of big names in business, which may make it difficult for shareholders to agree to the proposed dismissals.

Chairman Roy Bostock is a Director at Morgan Stanley and is also the Chairman of Northwest Airlines, which recently went through a high-profile merger. Directors Eric Hippeau, Gary Wilson and Mary Wilderotter are also shown to currently hold major positions of leadership in various industries- experience that could go far if allowed to continue on Yahoo's board.

Yahoo clearly isn't backing down without a fight, though if the board is replaced, the battle could quickly be over.

Click here for an interactive version of this IntellectSpace Knowledge Map.