MNG Enterprises Inc., has offered to acquire Gannett Co. for $12 a share in cash. That would value Gannett at around $1.4 billion.
MNG, publisher of the Denver Post and the Boston Herald, already owns a 7.5% stake in Gannett. But now, MNG apparently feels that Gannett needs a boost in leadership, especially following the latter’s CEO departure in May. In a letter to shareholders, MNG has argued, "Gannett shareholders cannot sit by and watch further value erode while the Board casts about for a strategy and a leader, especially when there is an opportunity to maximize value right now".
Gannett, which publishes USA Today, has indicated that it will “carefully review” the proposal and will arrive at a decision that is “in the best interest of the company and Gannett shareholders”.