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Todd Boehly’s Eldridge Media Eyes Potential Acquisition of National World
Todd Boehly’s Eldridge Media Holdings, the investment firm co-owned by the Chelsea Football Club proprietor, is reportedly considering a bid to acquire National World, a UK-based newspaper group. National World, which publishes several regional titles including the Yorkshire Post, The Scotsman, and The Sheffield Star, confirmed it has received preliminary interest from Eldridge Media regarding a potential takeover offer.
National World Confirms Preliminary Takeover Interest
In a statement to investors on Friday, National World, founded by veteran media executive David Montgomery, disclosed the approach from Boehly’s Eldridge Media Holdings. The media company acknowledged that Eldridge is evaluating a possible offer for the publishing group, marking a potential disruption to a previously agreed acquisition deal.
National World’s portfolio comprises 13 regional and city daily newspapers, alongside over a hundred additional print and digital franchises. The group was initially established as an investment vehicle before acquiring JPIMedia Publishing, formerly known as Johnston Press, significantly expanding its reach across the UK media landscape.
Eldridge’s Potential Bid Could Challenge Existing Offer
While there is no guarantee that Eldridge Media will submit a formal bid, any firm offer from Boehly’s group would present an alternative to a previously accepted takeover proposal from Media Concierge last month. National World has indicated it will assess any proposal from Eldridge Media Holdings, particularly if it offers greater value to its shareholders compared to the existing Media Concierge agreement.
Discussions Follow Telegraph Interest Reports
News of Eldridge’s interest in National World follows recent reports by Sky News suggesting that Todd Boehly and National World chairman David Montgomery had been in discussions concerning a potential bid for The Daily Telegraph. This indicates a broader interest from Boehly’s media investment arm in expanding its footprint within the UK news sector.
National World’s Previous Acquisition Ambitions
Notably, National World itself had previously explored acquiring Reach PLC, the publisher of national newspapers such as the Daily Express and Daily Mirror, in late 2022. Reach had earlier acquired Local World, David Montgomery’s prior media venture, in 2015, incorporating over 100 regional titles into its portfolio.
National World was established with a similar strategic approach to Local World, focusing on consolidating regional news assets. Its current stable of publications includes the Derry Journal, Edinburgh Evening News, Sunderland Echo, Derbyshire Times, and Eastbourne Gazette, among numerous others, highlighting its substantial presence in local and regional news publishing.