Skype is on its way to becoming one of the most important companies in the world

Am I the only one amazed that eBay is selling Skype to a sitting member of eBay's Board of Directors?

Almost a year ago eBay President and CEO John Donahoe announced the appointment of Marc Andreessen to the Board of Directors of eBay:

"Marc is a true visionary whose experience will be invaluable to eBay. We look forward to learning from Marc's insights and expertise as we drive further innovation on our platform, invest in growth opportunities and develop technology that will further benefit our customers, build powerful communities and enhance e-commerce."

Fast-forward almost a year later, eBay Board Director Marc Andreessen enthusiastically brags about his purchase of Skype from eBay:

"Skype is the archetypal Internet phenomenon: a breakthrough technology combining with enormously powerful network effects to revolutionize a gigantic industry. With this acquisition, we will work with the Skype team and eBay to build the company into a core Internet franchise at huge scale."

However, Andreessen's investment partner Ben Horowitz appears even more excited and states:

"Skype is on its way to becoming one of the most important companies in the world."

Am I the only one amazed that eBay is selling Skype to a sitting member of eBay's Board of Directors?

I mean, doesn't Marc Andreessen have a duty to eBay shareholders to maximize Skype's value for them and not himself?

What's your take, am I totally whacked for thinking Marc Andreessen has a conflict of interest with his purchase of Skype from eBay?

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• Cisco
• E-commerce
• LANs / WANs
• Andreessen's investment partner Ben Horowitz
• Appointment of Marc Andreessen to the Board of Directors of eBay
• eBay Board Director Marc Andreessen enthusiastically brags about his purchase of Skype from eBay
• eBay is selling Skype to a sitting member of its Board of Directors
• eBay President and CEO John Donahoe
• Marc Andreessen has a conflict of interest with his purchase of Skype from eBay