Gabriel Sherman of New York magazine writes that Michael Bloomberg still wants to add The New York Times to his media empire.
Sherman writes, “Bloomberg has also discussed the Times with his financial adviser Steven Rattner, a longtime Sulzberger friend. Rattner, according to a source, has explained the Sulzberger family dynamics to people at Bloomberg LP. Rattner declined to comment.
“If Bloomberg is indeed trying to buy the Times, it is a remarkable reversal from his public comments. In June 2012, I reported how Bloomberg brushed off the suggestion he should buy the paper. ‘Why would I want to buy the Times?’ he said in March of that year.
“Perhaps this was just an attempt to derail speculation. Or perhaps he’s become more interested in media again since returning to Bloomberg LP. He has been seeking to dramatically expand the financial data and news service’s reach. Late last year, Bloomberg brought in Economist editor John Micklethwait to replace longtime Bloomberg News chief Matt Winkler. And Bloomberg News is currently staffed by many ex-Times employees, a fact that could help meld the newsrooms if a deal were to happen.
“Bloomberg clearly sees himself as having made the transition from mayor back to media mogul. According to one friend, he lunches almost weekly with Rupert Murdoch.”
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