Tick tock, tick tock — clock is ticking on Microsoft’s TikTok buy

Former TikTok CEO Kevin Mayer stepped down from his role at the company earlier today. Now, it’s reported that one reason Mayer resigned was that he was excluded from talks regarding potential deals to sell TikTok to Microsoft or Oracle. CNBC’s Julie Boorstin also reports that a sale of TikTok could come within the next 48 hours, likely to Microsoft.

Mayer only joined TikTok in May, and reportedly the reason he was left out of discussions was that TikTok and ByteDance had relationships with Microsoft that predated Mayer’s arrival. That relationship was built as TikTok spoke with Microsoft about potentially switching its cloud service provider from Google to Microsoft’s Azure.

BREAKING: TikTok CEO Kevin Mayer quit after being excluded from deal talks between the company and Microsoft & Oracle, a source tells @JBoorstin. Multiple sources also tell CNBC that Mayer’s exit indicates that a deal—likely a sale to Microsoft—could come in the next 48 hours. pic.twitter.com/TOcSrn8Xd8

— CNBC Now (@CNBCnow) August 27, 2020

CNBC also reports that Mayer wanted to run a large, powerful company rather than run a division that’s part of a large tech company. Mayer would have reportedly stayed if a group of investors purchased TikTok rather than one large company.

Because Mayer’s departure would not have occurred if a group of investors purchased TikTok, the fact that Mayer left indicates that TikTok will be sold to a single company. CNBC reports that “we’re likely to see a deal with a Microsoft or an Oracle, more likely Microsoft.” Boorstin concludes by adding that the “deal could come in the next 48 hours or so.”