So it looks as if it's not going to be Ron Burkle after all.
New York billionaire Marc Lasry's Avenue Capital has emerged as the front-runner to take control of Hollywood trade Variety, The Post has learned. Variety's parent company, Reed Elsevier, has accepted the hedge fund's bid for between $30 million and $40 million, a source close to the talks said. Reed Elsevier has been seeking around $40 million.
The Post suggests the deal could be officially completed as early as this week. More worrisome, especially for current Variety staffers, is the article's suggestion that some of the trade's operations will be combined with that of another company overseen by Avenue with several others – American Media.
Reporters Keith J. Kelly and Josh Kosman were unable at press-time to get comment from Avenue Capital. To read their report, click here.