Ferro Out at Chicago Tribune Parent as Controversial Reign Ends

  • McCormick Media pays $208.6 million for 26% stake in company
  • Chairman Ferro stepped down in March amid harassment claims

Michael Ferro

Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg
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Michael Ferro’s Merrick Media is selling its stock in Tronc Inc., parent of the Chicago Tribune, to McCormick Media for $208.6 million, ending his tumultous time atop the big newspaper publisher.

Ferro’s company is selling 9.07 million shares of Tronc, formerly Tribune Publishing, for $23 each, according to a regulatory filing Friday. He was the company’s largest shareholder, with a 26 percent stake, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.