Reader Sale To Sun-Times Parent Company Finalized

By Chuck Sudo in News on May 23, 2012 5:40PM

The sale of the Chicago Reader to Wrapports LLC, the company that owns the Chicago Sun-Times and other newspapers, was finalized Tuesday night and announced Wednesday morning.

In a statement, Wrapports CEO Timothy Knight called the Reader “one of the most distinctive voices in the Chicago news community.” Reader media critic Michael Miner wrote the alt-weekly will "benefit, presumably, from the new owners’ deep pockets, entrepreneurial savvy, and unbridled ambition," while the Sun-times will have access to the Reader's cultural, restaurant and entertainment listings and reviews.

Knight also told the Reader's staff "What we won't do is change who you are or what you do" and that the paper will stay free. No changes in staff are planned and it's very possible the two staffs will be consolidated at the Sun-Times offices in the Merchandise Mart.