One of the 'Go Daddy Girls.' (GoDaddy.com)
NEW YORK – Private equity firms KKR & Co. and Silver Lake Partners, along with a third investor, are nearing a deal to buy the owner of GoDaddy.com, a closely-held company that registers internet domain names, for between $2 billion and $2.5 billion, people familiar with the matter said Friday.
An announcement of the sale could come as early as next week, although a deal has not been signed yet and the people cautioned that an agreement may not be reached.
The New York Post first reported KKR's interest in the company.
Scottsdale, Ariz.-based GoDaddy hired a boutique investment bank last year to shop the company to potential buyers.
GoDaddy is the world's largest registrar of domain names. The site also sells e-commerce, security and other services to people and businesses looking to manage their online presence.
Customers pay GoDaddy monthly fees, which brings the company steady cash flow -- an attraction for buyout firms.
GoDaddy was founded in 1997 by Bob Parsons, who continues to be the company's owner and chief executive. It is known for its edgy advertising, including Super Bowl commercials and ads featuring different "Go Daddy Girls" including racing car driver Danica Patrick.
Parsons would continue to be CEO, a source said.
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