Wednesday, October 30, 2013

A buyout offer of $29M to settle Inky dispute



George Norcross and another owner of the Philadelphia Inquirer are offering $29 million to buy out their partners and settle the litigation.

Norcross and William P. Hankowsky, who own 58 percent of Interstate General Media (holding company for the Inquirer, Daily News and Philly.com), are offering to buy out Lewis Katz and Gerry Lenfest.

If accepted, the deal would settle the current legal battle over the Norcross-backed firing of Editor Bill Marimow.

Norcross and Hankowsky released the following statement:

“We did not want or initiate the litigation that has created a sideshow that will ultimately waste hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars in legal fees that could be used to further the strengthen and build the company. We are, however, prepared to end it by purchasing the minority share of the company owned by Messrs. Katz and Lenfest for immediate cash, with no strings attached.

“We are offering to purchase their shares for $29 million, which represents a nearly 12 percent profit over their investment in just over 18 months, not a bad return in this economic environment. We will wire the funds to their accounts within 24 hours of an agreement.”

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