Certain funds affiliated with Chatham Asset Management, LLC (“Chatham”) today announced that they have completed the previously announced acquisition of substantially all assets of The McClatchy Company (“McClatchy” or the “Company”). The new company will retain The McClatchy Company name. The transaction significantly strengthens the Company’s balance sheet so that it can deliver on its mission to provide essential, independent journalism to local communities across the United States. This milestone marks the official completion of the acquisition of the Company’s assets and the successful transition of these assets from Chapter 11. As of September 4, 2020, the entirety of McClatchy’s 30 news organizations and all of its employees transitioned to a new private entity under Chatham ownership.
“McClatchy is a storied franchise with a rich tradition of serving the interests of local communities across the country. Now, more than ever, investing in independent journalism is imperative to ensuring the public is informed about critical issues impacting regions nationwide. We are proud to serve as stewards of the business as it continues to provide consumers with important news and information from a newfound position of strength,” said Chatham.
“Today marks the beginning of a new era and opportunity for McClatchy,” said Tony Hunter, Chief Executive Officer of McClatchy. “The Company is now poised for sustainable long-term growth driven by differentiated local content and an acute focus on our digital presence and offerings. We will continue to be proud of McClatchy’s iconic past while focusing on creating a bright future. I look forward to leading the talented McClatchy team, empowering them to do their best work, and energizing the organization to meet and exceed the evolving needs of our customers.”
McClatchy has appointed a new Board of Directors (the “Board”), of which Mr. Hunter has been named Chairman. Additional members of the Board include two highly qualified independent directors:
- John Bode, Chief Operating Officer of Readerlink Distribution Services, a full-service distributor of hardcover, trade and paperback books in North America. Earlier in his career, Mr. Bode was the Chief Financial Officer of Tribune Publishing Company, where he led the company through its successful spin-off into a stand-alone, publicly traded entity.
- Jamal Mashburn, an entrepreneur, business owner and former NBA professional athlete with deep operating expertise and relationships in many of the markets in which McClatchy operates. Mr. Mashburn owns and operates over 150 local businesses and franchises across the United States.
Mr. Hunter added, “I’m excited to have the benefit of Jamal and John’s unique perspective and extensive experience as we forge a successful future for the Company by creating a digital driven business model.”
