SF Weekly sold to parent company of Bay Guardian

Voice Media Group, parent of the LA Weekly, is giving up on San Francisco and has sold the SF Weekly to the company that publishes both the San Francisco Examiner and former arch-rival, the venerable Bay Guardian. A sale of the Seattle Weekly was also announced in the deal.

The SF Weekly, under its old Village Voice Media ownership, had done battle with the Bay Guardian for decades. The Guardian won a judgment against the SF Weekly over business practices that seemed intended to undercut the rival. Financial details of today's deal were not announced. The change of operating control is effective today, the Voice Media Group said.

“This is a strategic decision aligned with the long-term business goals of VMG,” said Scott Tobias, CEO of Voice Media Group. “Todd Vogt is known for his expertise in the local paper space and he is a great choice to take ownership of SF Weekly.”

Todd Vogt, President and Co-Owner of SFNP, added, “This is an exciting day for our company as we add a title that is recognized as one of the leading alternative weekly newspapers in the country. Village Voice Media Holdings built a great company of excellent newspapers. SF Weekly expands our commitment to deliver the very best local media coverage in San Francisco.”

Under the terms of the agreement, Voice Media Group will continue to own and operate the following print publications and corresponding digital properties: Village Voice (New York), LA Weekly (Los Angeles), Westword (Denver), New Times (Phoenix), Houston Press, Dallas Observer, Riverfront Times (St. Louis), New Times (Miami), City Pages (Minneapolis), New Times (Broward) and OC Weekly (Orange County).

Here's the SF Weekly story.

Previously on LA Observed:
Bruce Brugmann steps down from Bay Guardian
Village Voice Media loses in San Francisco
Brugmann vs. New Times