SoftBank to Acquire DigitalBridge in $4B Deal to Power the Future of AI Infrastructure
SoftBank Group is making a major bet on the infrastructure behind artificial intelligence and that bet has meaningful roots in South Florida.
The global technology investment firm announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire DigitalBridge Group, Inc., a leading digital infrastructure investment manager headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida, in a transaction valued at approximately $4 billion. The move signals SoftBank’s intent to significantly scale the physical backbone required to support next-generation AI systems worldwide, while spotlighting South Florida’s growing role in the global technology and infrastructure ecosystem.
Why AI Needs More Than Just Better Models
SoftBank’s long-term vision centers on the realization of Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI), AI that surpasses human intelligence and meaningfully advances humanity. While much of the AI conversation focuses on models and software, SoftBank is emphasizing a less visible but equally critical component: infrastructure.
Training and deploying AI at global scale requires massive investments in data centers, fiber networks, power capacity, edge computing, and connectivity. DigitalBridge specializes in exactly those assets, making the acquisition a strategic fit for SoftBank’s ambitions and positioning a Boca Raton–based firm at the center of one of the most important AI infrastructure buildouts of the next decade.
“As AI transforms industries worldwide, we need more compute, connectivity, power, and scalable infrastructure,” said Masayoshi Son, Chairman and CEO of SoftBank Group. “DigitalBridge is a leader in digital infrastructure, and this acquisition will strengthen the foundation for next-generation AI data centers and advance our vision to become a leading ASI platform provider.”
Who Is DigitalBridge?
DigitalBridge is a global alternative asset manager focused exclusively on digital infrastructure. With more than 30 years of experience, the firm has invested in and operated assets across the digital ecosystem, including:
Data centers
Cell towers and small cells
Fiber and connectivity networks
Edge infrastructure
The firm manages approximately $108 billion in digital infrastructure assets and serves many of the world’s largest technology companies as they expand their digital and AI capabilities. While its footprint spans North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, DigitalBridge’s headquarters in Boca Raton underscore South Florida’s emergence as a hub for global investment, infrastructure finance, and advanced technology leadership.
A Shared Builder Mindset
According to DigitalBridge CEO Marc Ganzi, the alignment between the two organizations goes beyond capital.
“The buildout of AI infrastructure represents one of the most significant investment opportunities of our generation,” Ganzi said. “SoftBank shares our DNA as builders and long-term investors committed to scaling transformational digital infrastructure.”
Under SoftBank’s ownership, DigitalBridge will gain greater flexibility to invest with a longer-term horizon, while continuing to operate as a separately managed platform led by its existing leadership team. That continuity is particularly significant for South Florida, signaling stability, long-term growth, and sustained regional influence in the global AI infrastructure market.
Deal Details and Timeline
Under the terms of the agreement:
SoftBank will acquire all outstanding shares of DigitalBridge for $16.00 per share in cash
The transaction represents a 15% premium to DigitalBridge’s closing share price on December 26, 2025
It also reflects a 50% premium to the company’s unaffected 52-week average closing price as of December 4, 2025
The deal was unanimously approved by DigitalBridge’s Board of Directors following a recommendation from a special committee of independent directors
The acquisition is subject to customary regulatory approvals and is expected to close in the second half of 2026.
What This Means for the AI Ecosystem and South Florida
With DigitalBridge’s global footprint and operational expertise, SoftBank strengthens its ability to originate, finance, operate, and scale digital infrastructure worldwide. The acquisition positions SoftBank to secure the capacity needed for AI growth while reinforcing the connectivity layer that underpins AI deployment and operations.
At the same time, the deal reinforces South Florida’s role in shaping global technology outcomes. As AI demand accelerates across industries, from healthcare and finance to manufacturing and logistics, this acquisition highlights a broader shift in the market: the race for AI leadership is increasingly a race to control the infrastructure that makes it possible, and Boca Raton is firmly part of that story.
