What is 'In Play'

A slang phrase used to describe a firm who has become a potential takeover target or has put itself up for sale. Once a bid is made, a company is put "in play" and will often attract additional bidders.

Explaining 'In Play'

When a firm becomes a potential takeover target, its share price will typically increase on the expectations of being bought out. For example, in the late 1980s, management at RJR Nabisco felt the share price was unjustifiably low, so it made a bid to take the company private. This bid put the company in play, soliciting numerous other bids, sending RJR Nabisco's share price through the roof.

Further Reading

Trends in park tourism: Economics, finance and management
www.tandfonline.com [PDF]
With European soccer leagues in mind, a novel model of club owner objectives nests standard profit (and win) maximization, but adds benefactor behavior where owners inject personal funds to increase their team's quality. A “generosity” parameter differentiates …

An empirical comparison of published replication research in accounting, economics, finance, management, and marketing
www.sciencedirect.com [PDF]
With European soccer leagues in mind, a novel model of club owner objectives nests standard profit (and win) maximization, but adds benefactor behavior where owners inject personal funds to increase their team's quality. A “generosity” parameter differentiates …

Method of playing a game of economics and finance
patents.google.com [PDF]
With European soccer leagues in mind, a novel model of club owner objectives nests standard profit (and win) maximization, but adds benefactor behavior where owners inject personal funds to increase their team's quality. A “generosity” parameter differentiates …

The virtues and vices of equilibrium and the future of financial economics
onlinelibrary.wiley.com [PDF]
With European soccer leagues in mind, a novel model of club owner objectives nests standard profit (and win) maximization, but adds benefactor behavior where owners inject personal funds to increase their team's quality. A “generosity” parameter differentiates …

Implications of behavioural economics for financial literacy and public policy
www.sciencedirect.com [PDF]
With European soccer leagues in mind, a novel model of club owner objectives nests standard profit (and win) maximization, but adds benefactor behavior where owners inject personal funds to increase their team's quality. A “generosity” parameter differentiates …