ExtractedValue
HomeIndustriesGuideNewsletter
EXTRACTEDVALUE

Track how private equity impacts your favorite brands. Get alerts when companies you care about are acquired.

Explore

  • About
  • Methodology
  • Newsletter

Legal

  • Privacy
  • Terms

© 2026 Extracted Value. All rights reserved.

Shining a light on PE ownership.

← Back to Search
CH

Chicago Tribune

media
PE-OWNED

Major daily newspaper serving the Chicago area.

PE-OWNED

Acquired by Alden Global Capital2021-05-01

View PE Firm Profile

What Made It Great

“

Chicago's voice for news, politics, and culture since 1847.

What PE Will Likely Do

Predictions

The Chicago Tribune newsroom will face significant staff reductions, likely resulting in a decline in the quantity and quality of local news coverage

HIGH LIKELIHOODBased on: Alden Global Capital's track record of aggressively cutting costs and staff at the media companies it acquires

The Tribune's print edition will be reduced in frequency or eliminated entirely, forcing more readers to pay for digital subscriptions

HIGH LIKELIHOODBased on: The industry playbook for private equity firms in the media sector, which emphasizes newsroom layoffs, content consolidation, paywall implementation, and reductions in print frequency

Investigative journalism teams at the Tribune will likely be cut, reducing the paper's ability to hold local institutions and officials accountable

HIGH LIKELIHOODBased on: The specific details of Alden's tactics, including bankruptcy rate of 0% and a negative consumer impact score of -0.50

Content from the Tribune will be consolidated with other Alden-owned media outlets, leading to a homogenization of news coverage and a loss of the Tribune's distinct local voice

HIGH LIKELIHOODBased on: The specific details of Alden's tactics, including bankruptcy rate of 0% and a negative consumer impact score of -0.50

Expected Timeline

Phases
0-6 monthsCompleted

“0 to 6 months months”

Acquisition announced, promises of 'investment' made, followed by initial rounds of newsroom layoffs and 'restructuring'

6-12 monthsYOU ARE HERE

“6 to 12 months months”

Print schedule reduced, more content cuts implemented, paywall requirements increased

12-24 months

“12 to 24 months months”

Noticeable decline in quality of local news coverage, reader complaints about loss of in-depth reporting and investigative pieces increase

Similar Cases

Other companies that followed a similar path after PE acquisition

Operating

Sports Illustrated

Authentic Brands Group·2019

See full case study
Operating

McClatchy Newspapers

Chatham Asset Management·2020

See full case study
Operating

Denver Post

Alden Global Capital·2018

See full case study
Operating

Baltimore Sun

Alden Global Capital·2021

See full case study
Operating

Vice Media

TPG Capital·2017

See full case study

What You Can Do

Take Action

Actions

  • Subscribe to the Chicago Tribune's digital edition to support quality local journalism and offset the impact of cost-cutting measures

  • Follow local news sources and advocacy groups that are monitoring the impact of Alden's acquisition on the Tribune's coverage

  • Encourage local civic and community organizations to speak out against the potential erosion of the Tribune's role as a watchdog and voice for the city of Chicago

Alternatives

Research independent alternativesSAFE

Look for family-owned or employee-owned businesses

Share this company's PE status
Twitter/XFacebookLinkedIn

"Chicago Tribune is now PE-owned. Here's what that means for you."