Ziff Davis (ZD) Sells Ookla Unit to Accenture for ~$1.2B

Ziff Davis secured lender consent to sell its Ookla internet-speed-testing business for approximately $1.2 billion, with the deal expected to close by December 2, 2026.

By the FiledFeed automated desk Jun 18, 2026 4:14 AM ET

This summary was generated by AI from the company's SEC filing and may contain errors — always verify against the primary source on SEC.gov.

The short version

Ziff Davis, Inc. (ZD) has entered into a consent agreement with its lenders that allows it to sell its Ookla, LLC business — best known for the Speedtest internet speed-testing tool — along with related subsidiaries to Accenture Inc. for approximately $1.2 billion. The sale was originally agreed upon in a purchase agreement dated March 2, 2026, and is expected to close by December 2, 2026. The lenders also agreed to release their legal claims on Ookla's assets, patents, and trademarks once the deal closes.

Ziff Davis, Inc. (Nasdaq: ZD) has secured approval from the lenders on its existing credit agreement (a business loan arrangement) to sell its Ookla business to Accenture Inc. for approximately $1.2 billion, according to an 8-K filing (a form companies use to report major news) filed with the SEC on June 17, 2026.

What Is Being Sold?

The sale covers Ookla, LLC — the company behind the widely used Speedtest internet performance tool — along with a group of related subsidiaries. According to the filing, the sellers are Ziff Davis, LLC, Ziff Davis Ireland Limited, and Ookla, LLC (together called the "Specified Sellers"). The deal includes equity stakes in a list of international entities as well as certain Irish assets.

The purchase agreement between Ziff Davis and Accenture Inc. was originally signed on March 2, 2026. The sale is expected to close on or before December 2, 2026, and Ziff Davis said it expects to receive approximately $1.2 billion at closing, subject to adjustments set out in the purchase agreement.

Why Lender Consent Was Needed

Ziff Davis's existing credit agreement — originally put in place on April 7, 2021, and administered by U.S. Bank National Association — contained restrictions on large asset sales. Specifically, the agreement capped the total amount Ziff Davis could receive from selling assets in any single year at the greater of $30 million or 5% of the company's EBITDA (a measure of operating profit). A $1.2 billion transaction would far exceed that cap, so Ziff Davis needed its lenders to formally agree to allow the sale and to exclude the proceeds from that annual cap.

The lenders — including JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Citibank, N.A., and U.S. Bank National Association — signed the consent agreement on June 15, 2026.

Releasing the Lenders' Claims on Ookla's Assets

Once the sale closes, the lenders' legal security interests (their right to claim Ookla's assets if Ziff Davis defaulted on its loan) in the Ookla entities will be automatically released. Three entities — Ookla, LLC, Root Wireless, Inc., and Ekahau, Inc. — will also be released from all obligations under Ziff Davis's loan documents.

This includes releasing the lenders' claims on Ookla's patents and trademarks, which will be formally filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Jeremy Rossen, Ziff Davis's Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, signed on behalf of Ziff Davis.

Key facts

Ziff Davis, Inc. (ZD) is selling its Ookla, LLC business to Accenture Inc. for approximately $1.2 billion.

The original purchase agreement was signed on March 2, 2026.

The sale is expected to close on or before December 2, 2026.

Sellers are Ziff Davis, LLC, Ziff Davis Ireland Limited, and Ookla, LLC.

Lenders — JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Citibank, N.A., and U.S. Bank National Association — consented on June 15, 2026.

The existing credit agreement dated April 7, 2021 capped annual asset sale proceeds at the greater of $30 million or 5% of EBITDA; lenders agreed to waive that cap for this transaction.

Ookla, LLC, Root Wireless, Inc., and Ekahau, Inc. will be released from all obligations under Ziff Davis's loan documents upon closing.

Jeremy Rossen (EVP, General Counsel and Secretary) signed on behalf of Ziff Davis.

Why it matters

A $1.2 billion asset sale is a significant capital event for Ziff Davis. Ookla — home to the globally recognized Speedtest brand — represents a meaningful piece of the company's portfolio, so its divestiture signals a notable strategic shift. The proceeds could be used for debt repayment, share buybacks, acquisitions, or other corporate purposes, though the filing does not specify. Investors should watch for further disclosures about how Ziff Davis plans to deploy the $1.2 billion in sale proceeds once the deal closes, which is expected by December 2, 2026.

Frequently asked

What is Ziff Davis selling and to whom?

Ziff Davis is selling its Ookla business — which includes Ookla, LLC and several related international subsidiaries — to Accenture Inc. for approximately $1.2 billion.

When is the sale expected to close?

According to the filing, the sale is expected to close on or before December 2, 2026.

Why did Ziff Davis need its lenders' permission for this sale?

Ziff Davis's existing credit agreement limited the total amount it could receive from selling assets in any one year to the greater of $30 million or 5% of operating profit. Since the Ookla sale is worth approximately $1.2 billion, Ziff Davis needed lender approval to proceed and to have those proceeds excluded from that annual cap.

Which lenders approved the sale?

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Citibank, N.A., and U.S. Bank National Association all signed the consent agreement on June 15, 2026.

What the filing reported

1.01 Entry into a Material Agreement

2.01 Completion of Acquisition or Disposition

9.01 Financial Statements & Exhibits