Netflix CEO Reed Hastings Hates Carl Icahn Right Now

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Money. Power. Testosterone. Drive. Ambition. Confidence. Ego.

Guys like billionaire Carl Icahn and Netflix (NFLX) CEO Reed Hastings come loaded with all or some combination of the above.

That's why there's a serious backstory that I am confident brews behind the scenes vis-a-vis Icahn's decision to purchase a 10% stake in NFLX.

Let's keep this as straightforward as possible because it's not too complicated.

Icahn used call options that expire in September 2014, not stock, to assume a majority of his stake. That's different than taking direct ownership via stock, but, ultimately, has the same effect. Netflix knows Icahn can exercise his option to buy shares at any time.

I'm not sure he will.

While the hostile takeover route for which Icahn is known could come into play, at this point he is well on his way to accomplishing his goals.

First, I have yet to see anybody connect Icahn's move to his history, via Blockbuster, with Netflix.

If you haven't read Gina Keating's book, Netflixed: The Epic Battle For America's Eyeballs, you should. She details, among many other things, the fascinating story of Blockbuster's fight with Netflix, explaining Icahn's involvement as a Blockbuster investor.

That affair did not end well. Netflix won. Blockbuster lost. A few more dollars from Icahn and the inverse could have come true.

It's not crazy to argue that Icahn senses unfinished business. Plus, this is what he does - wields his big swinging (cough, cough) pocketbook to put companies into situations that will make him money, on paper and when it's time to cash out.

Don't follow Icahn into a trade unless you're already a successful day/swing trader with your own edge. He runs in a different world than most of us. He can handle a ton more risk because he's filthy rich.

This is not a game for the individual investor.

I'm moderately bullish NFLX -- have been for several weeks now -- but I never buy stocks because I think they might get bought out (don't misread Icahn here; he has power and influence that you and I simply do not have). You'll lose 10 times for every time you win with that method. Only buy NFLX if you believed before Icahn entered the picture.

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