USA TODAY Co., the nation’s largest newspaper publisher, has entered into an agreement to acquire The Detroit News from MediaNews Group, a transaction that would place Detroit’s two daily newspapers under the same corporate ownership following the end of a long-running shared business arrangement.
USA TODAY Co., formerly known as Gannett Co., already owns the Detroit Free Press. The two publications have operated in the same market for more than 150 years, competing editorially while sharing certain business operations for much of the past four decades.
End of joint operations reshapes Detroit newspaper market
The ownership change follows the expiration of the joint operating agreement, or JOA, between The Detroit News and the Detroit Free Press on Dec. 28, 2025.
Under the joint operating agreement formed in 1989, MediaNews Group maintained editorial authority over The Detroit News, even as advertising, printing, circulation, and production were handled jointly. The arrangement, permitted under the Newspaper Preservation Act of 1970, placed business operations under USA TODAY Co.’s oversight.
The Detroit partnership was the final remaining joint operating agreement between two U.S. newspapers, a model once common in major metro markets but now largely dismantled.
Letter of intent signed, closing expected this month
USA TODAY Co. and MediaNews Group executed a binding letter of intent on Jan. 26 outlining the proposed sale. The companies did not disclose the purchase price.
The transaction is expected to close by the end of January, subject to customary closing conditions.
MediaNews Group Chief Operating Officer Guy Gilmore said the agreement was reached after the joint operating structure concluded.
“We are pleased to reach this agreement with USA TODAY Co. now that the Joint Operations Agreement has expired after decades of successful operations,” Gilmore said. “Both companies have a mutual desire to ensure that these publications and their distinct journalism continue to serve the greater Detroit area.”
Newspapers to remain editorially independent
USA TODAY Co. said both The Detroit News and the Detroit Free Press will continue to publish separately following the acquisition.
“The acquisition of The Detroit News will be a strategic investment that strengthens the USA TODAY Network’s audience and its portfolio of more than 200 local publications nationwide and reinforces our commitment to local journalism in the Detroit metropolitan area,” said Michael Reed, chairman and chief executive officer of USA TODAY Co.
According to company officials, the two publications will maintain their existing print and digital operations following the transaction.
Long histories and national audience reach
Founded in 1873, The Detroit News has won three Pulitzer Prizes. The Detroit Free Press has won 10. Both newspapers have operated continuously for more than a century.
According to a June 2025 report from NiemanLab, the two outlets rank among the 15 most-visited local news websites in the United States, reflecting their continued digital reach amid industry-wide declines in print advertising.
Financing and newsroom staffing addressed
The purchase will be funded through a mix of cash and borrowing, with financing arranged by Apollo affiliates. USA TODAY Co. said its senior secured credit facility has been revised, setting interest at a SOFR-based rate with a 4.5 percent margin and a 150-basis-point floor.
Editorial employees at The Detroit News will be offered positions with USA TODAY Co. once the deal closes, according to company officials.
MediaNews Group, which owns The Detroit News, is controlled by hedge fund Alden Global Capital. The companies did not disclose why the newspaper was offered for sale, though MediaNews Group has reduced its newspaper holdings in recent years as print advertising revenue continues to face pressure.