By Grace Galletti, Stripped for Parts Impact Coordinator
08/27/25 Update: DallasNews Corporation rejected yet another bid from Alden Global Capital as the board unanimously supports the Hearst merger. The shareholders still need to vote to officialize it on September 23rd.
The Dallas Morning News was in talks to be acquired by Hearst when Alden Global Capital tried to swoop in and win the deal, according to the Dallas Culture Map. That’s exactly what they did to the Santa Rosa Press Democrat along with six other Bay Area newspapers earlier this summer. And as NiemanLab explained, that’s just how they operate:
“See, Alden likes to wait until a newspaper merger or acquisition is juuuuust about consummated. Then, right before the final papers get signed, it swoops in with a late bid that promises the seller a bigger payday. Respectable newspaper owners don’t love the idea of selling to Alden, whose relish for laying off journalists is well known. They’ve sometimes built entire strategies around selling to anyone but Alden. But in the tense final hours of a deal, it can be difficult to explain to shareholders why, exactly, they should turn down a few extra million.”
Luckily for the future of journalism, the board of the Dallas Morning News rejected Alden’s offer although Alden is still trying to meddle. According to an update from NiemanLab, Alden sent another letter with a higher offer to buy the paper this morning on August 11th.
It seems the outcome is in Robert Decherd’s hands, who is the controlling shareholder of DallasNews Corporation, owner of the Dallas Morning News, and he stated publicly “that there was no scenario in which he would vote in favor of a sale of the Company to Alden.”
The sale is still being finalized so stay tuned for updates!
Read more here:
If Alden Global buys the Morning News, Dallas will suffer, Front Burner in the D magazine, July 23rd, 2025
Alden Global Capital fails in its attempt to get its tentacles on The Dallas Morning News, NiemanLab, July 28, 2025
Dallas Morning News fends off new buyout offer from Alden Global, Dallas Culture Map, Aug 4th 2025
Dallas Morning News says no to Alden offer, Texas Press Association, Aug 4th 2025
Alden Global Capital is still trying to get its hands on The Dallas Morning News, NiemanLab, Aug 11th, 2025
STRIPPED FOR PARTS 