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It absolutely could be a basic business decision to try to purchase a desireable asset. Burkle may have crunched numbers and decided, "I want that." No question.

But I am reminded of something I recently read. I’m afraid my recollection is so hazy as to be quite useless, but just a few weeks ago (in the WSJ) there was a book review which featured a tidbit about someone (a major household name) who is a notable corporate executive (I forget who. Lee Iacocca??). Guy wanted a big raise from the Board of Directors. But he didn’t ask for a raise from the Board of Directors – that’s not how the game is played at that level.

Instead, he arranged to be invited by Bud Selig to a not-quite-private meeting at a restaurant. Rumors immediately flew that the Major Corporate Superstar was in line to become the next Baseball Commissioner. Well, the Board of Directors jumped in to action, begged the guy not to leave and offered a huge raise to the Executive.

He got exactly what he wanted. Didn’t have to negotiate. Didn’t even have to ask. All he did was ask Bud Selig to ask him out to dinner.

That’s how the game is played at the highest level.

I agree. In fact, The game is played this way at any level. Looking for a job, you want to end up with more than one offer. The people who hire you have freer hand to give you more: matching the market is considered acceptable almost anywhere. when a professor goes for tenure, the same thing happens: one goes "outside" in case tenure is not granted; and, if it is granted, the conditions are better if you have an outside offer.

This does not extend to multi-billion bids for companies, however.