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Activist Investor Amps Up for Sprint Fight

CEO slayer wants change at carrier

By Jonas Oransky,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 4, 2007 10:40 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Ralph Whitworth isn’t happy with Sprint’s priorities or its management, and he’s one shareholder the wireless carrier can’t just laugh off. The principal of Relational Investors has parlayed small shares in Home Depot and Sovereign into the sacking of those corporations’ CEOs; now he says he’s “lost confidence in [Sprint honcho] Gary Forsee,” the Journal reports.

Whitworth’s grievances about the company—which is losing customers—start with its plans for a $5 billion investment in the untested broadband WiFi technology called WiMax. The activist investor, who holds 1.9% of the company’s stock, wants more focus on the existing cellphone business. For now, though, Whitworth’s angling only for board seats—and not for Forsee’s head.

Various models of phones are displayed on a computer screen as a customer is helped at a Sprint store in this Feb. 28, 2007 file photo, in Murray, Utah. Of Sprint's leadership, activist investor Ralph Whitworth said We have lost confidence in Gary Forsee. (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac, file)
Various models of phones are displayed on a computer screen as a customer is helped at a Sprint store in this Feb. 28, 2007 file photo, in Murray, Utah. Of Sprint's leadership, activist investor Ralph...   (Associated Press)
A Sprint Store display features peripheral cellphone devices. As Sprint, the nation's third-largest wireless carrier, loses subscribers, its investors grow increasingly restless.
A Sprint Store display features peripheral cellphone devices. As Sprint, the nation's third-largest wireless carrier, loses subscribers, its investors grow increasingly restless.   (Getty Images)
Gary Forsee, CEO of Sprint Nextel Corp., gives a news conference in New York in this Aug. 8, 2006 file photo. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, file)
Gary Forsee, CEO of Sprint Nextel Corp., gives a news conference in New York in this Aug. 8, 2006 file photo. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, file)   (Associated Press)
The Palm Centro smart device from Sprint seen here in the Ruby Red model.
The Palm Centro smart device from Sprint seen here in the "Ruby Red" model.   (Associated Press)
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Read Whitworth's biography
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US • Money • Technology

 
CEO • Home Depot • Sprint Nextel • Ralph Whitworth • Relational Investors • Sprint • Gary Forsee • WiMax • Sovereign

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