"My prediction in this matter remains that when you see the players start to seriously discuss an amalgamation of some sort, you will know a buyout is in the works, not before."

Good points Khareema! I would suggest that this is indeed what is going on. JD's points also work well with your amalgamation concept which makes many entities to have to negotiate with. The kind of cooperation this would take could only be brought to fruition with good faith bargaining and I hope that this is what will prevail.