Skydance CEO David Ellison has held talks about buying Bari Weiss’ on-line publication The Free Press, The New York Occasions reported, citing two sources.
The Occasions stories that Ellison is in early discussions about an acquisition, and {that a} deal could not come to fruition, on condition that Weiss has said she desires to independently run the positioning.
Nonetheless, citing an individual acquainted with the matter, the paper reported that one possibility floated can be to have Weiss direct the “editorial sensibilities of CBS Information,” however to not be a part of the administration crew there.
The talks comes as Ellison’s Skydance is attempting to shut its acquisition of Paramount, which owns CBS Information. That is the second information merchandise floating the concept that Ellison could also be trying to make a take care of Bari Weiss. In late June, Oliver Darcy reported in his e-newsletter Standing that Weiss was being courted for a job at CBS Information.
In early July, Paramount International agreed to pay $16 million to settle a lawsuit from President Trump over the October interview that 60 Minutes performed with Kamala Harris. The swimsuit had been seen as a roadblock to finishing the acquisition, because the deal requires regulatory approval and the switch of FCC licenses beneath FCC chairman Brendan Carr.
Weiss began The Free Press in 2021, after leaving The New York Occasions and citing disagreements over her “centrist” views and bullying from liberal colleagues. The location, which has greater than 50 staff and greater than 30 traders, in keeping with the Occasions, in addition to 1.5 million free and paid subscribers, in addition to podcasts, movies and stay occasions.
The location has taken on matters akin to DEI packages, transgender care and liberal bias in media and posted many pro-Israel articles. In September of final yr, the positioning’s backers disclosed that it had raised $15 million from traders and valued itself at $100 million, per a Monetary Occasions report.
Each Weiss and Ellison are attending the annual Allen & Firm convention in Solar Valley this week, the Occasions reported.