New Potential Buyers Visit the Statesman

The Statesman has been on the market for almost 12 months, but recent activity could indicate a sale is near.

The paper reported that three possible buyers met with Statesman executives last week. Each of the three have made headlines with recent business moves.

In March, Brian Ferguson and his investment partners spent about $1 million for a 6.2 percent share of the A.H. Belo Corporation, owners of The Dallas Morning News and other newspapers and TV stations. Ferguson also reportedly discussed buying the assets of the Rocky Mountain News.

Clifton Robinson is the new owner of the Waco Tribune-Herald. Earlier this month, the Waco businessman and civic leader agreed to buy the paper from Cox Enterprises, who also owns the Statesman.

Finally, Walter Hussman Jr., is the publisher of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, best known in newspaper circles as one of the few properties that charge subscription fees to access its website. Hussman's strategy is that the online subscription model is protecting his newspaper's print business.

Since Cox put the Statesman up for sale last August, the paper has attracted interest from investment firms, a group headed by Austin residents, and some small and midsize newspaper chains.

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