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WSJ: Clearwire to endorse Dish's offer, push back vote on Sprint deal (updated)

Well, it looks like Sprint's letter to Clearwire Corp. didn't adequately trash Dish Network. According to The Wall Street Journal, a special committee of Clearwire's board will push back a shareholder vote on Sprint's deal this Thursday and recommend that the full board endorse Dish's buyout proposal. Needless to say, that would put a sizable wrench in Sprint's plans to fully acquire the spectrum provider. The carrier already owns nearly half of Clearwire, and if Dish gets its way, it will become a major minority shareholder in the company. Whatever happens next, likely won't end the drawn-out bidding war, though; Sprint has already claimed that Dish's offer can't legally be accepted without its consent. As always, stay tuned.

Update: Dish just formally announced the extension of its tender offer to Clearwire, pushing back the original June 28th date to July 2nd. Skip past the break for the full release.

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DISH Announces Extension of the Tender Offer to Acquire Clearwire

ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DISH Network Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) today announced that DISH Acquisition Holding Corporation ("Purchaser") has extended the expiration of the previously announced tender offer to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock of Clearwire Corporation for $4.40 per share, net to the seller in cash, without interest, less any applicable withholding taxes, until 12:00 midnight (New York City time) at the end of the day on Tuesday, July 2, 2013, unless further extended or earlier terminated. The tender offer was previously scheduled to expire at 12:00 midnight (New York City time) at the end of the day on Friday, June 28, 2013. Certain other modifications to the previously announced tender offer were also announced today on an amendment to the Schedule TO filed with the SEC and available at www.sec.gov.

Colbent Corporation, the depository for the tender offer, has advised that, as of the close of business on Tuesday, June 11, 2013, approximately 245,411 shares of common stock of Clearwire were validly tendered and not validly withdrawn from the tender offer.

About DISH

DISH Network Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH), through its subsidiary DISH Network L.L.C., provides approximately 14.092 million satellite TV customers, as of March 31, 2013, with the highest quality programming and technology with the most choices at the best value, including HD Free for Life®. Subscribers enjoy the largest high definition line-up with more than 200 national HD channels, the most international channels, and award-winning HD and DVR technology. DISH Network Corporation's subsidiary, Blockbuster L.L.C., delivers family entertainment to millions of customers around the world. DISH Network Corporation is a Fortune 200 company. Visit www.dish.com.

Additional Information

This communication is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell any shares of the capital stock of Clearwire Corporation ("Clearwire") or any other securities. DISH Network Corporation ("DISH") and DISH Acquisition Holding Corporation have filed a tender offer statement on Schedule TO, including an offer to purchase, a letter of transmittal and related documents, with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE TENDER OFFER STATEMENT, AS FILED AND AS IT MAY BE AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME, BECAUSE IT CONTAINS IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Investors and security holders may obtain a free copy of these statements and other documents filed with the SEC at the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov or by directing such requests to Innisfree M&A Incorporated at (212) 750-5833 or (877) 456-3427.

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained herein may constitute "forward-looking statements". Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of DISH to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about expectations of a potential transaction involving DISH and Clearwire, including satisfaction of conditions, future financial and operating results, DISH's plans, objectives, expectations (financial or otherwise) and intentions relating to the potential transaction and other statements that are not historical facts. More information about such risks, uncertainties and other factors is set forth in DISH's Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements included in its recent filings with the SEC, including its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 and its quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2013. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made, and DISH expressly disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements. Nothing herein shall be deemed to be a forecast, projection or estimate of the future financial performance of DISH, Clearwire Corporation or the enlarged DISH following the completion of the tender offer.