With the gun to VZ's head now we may even get a premium to settle.

That may be true. If so, I don't know if VZ would be able to come up with the approximately $23 billion it needs.

I doubt they have it which is why they would try to strike a deal.  This is where GRZ's statement is important. GRZ has been burned enough times to know not get into bed with the enemy.  They know thiis will play out favorably in the courts next summer without and deals.