Which, if true—and if the KING 5 story is true—suggests that this is not some sort of coordinated effort in which, say, Hearst would put the P-I up for sale on the understanding that Seattle Times publisher Frank Blethen would later sell the Times to Hearst.

So, if true—and again that’s still a big if—and if I’m understanding all of this correctly, and if I’m remembering JOA intricacies correctly, then this to me suggests more of a gamble on Hearst’s part. Maybe a high-odds-of-winning gamble. But still a gamble.

Eli Sanders was The Stranger's associate editor. His book, "While the City Slept," was a finalist for the Washington State Book Award and the Dayton Literary Peace Prize. He once did this and once won...

23 replies on “Blethen: “Stunned.””

  5. This seems pretty random for Hearst if there is NOT an ulterior motive. Spending all that money to uphold the JOA, and then throwing in the towel now? Such a shame though. Frank Blethen does not deserve to win this one.

  6. Now Art Thiel can join his compadres Robin and Maynard in obscuria, holding yearly golf charity events and dusting themselves off when friendly street performers are murdered.

  8. The Stranger needs to swoop in and buy the Times. The Stranger we know now could be a big fatty Sunday paper.

    I’d also like the call it “The Stranger/Times. From the Times hire Nancy Leson and start a crossword puzzle that rivals the NYT.

  10. Eli is allegedly a “horseman,'” a lover of horses. His nickname in certain circles is allegedly “Enumclaw Eli.”

  11. All lessons on the Hearsts and their methods can be learned on fucking Deadwood, cocksuckers.

    Oh, and I guess Citizen Kane, too, you hoopleheads.

  12. There aren’t a lot of intricacies left since the JOA was revised a couple of years ago. If Hearst can’t sell (and it won’t be able to), it closes the P-I. The Times becomes the only game in town, and doesn’t have to send any money to Hearst.

    I’m guessing Hearst, under its new management, decided there were limited opportunities to make money here. Since there are no tangible assets (no real estate, no press or production facilities), it’s an easy operation to shut down and cut their losses.

  13. Interesting scene in the Times newsroom — everybody gathered around the TVs to watch the KING5 report — we’d gotten a 10 minute warning but didn’t know what it was about. (Have a better idea what’s going on now, but not saying here.) Not a single cheer, just a lot of “holy fucking shit” and “oh my god.” Plenty of tears too.
    We’re in competition with those guys, but it could’ve been us. Still could be us. We’re worried about ourselves, worried about our community and our country.
    Sending good vibes down to Elliott Ave.

  14. Dear Mr. Sanders,

    Please have Mr. Keck call me at his earliest convenience. I have an urgent business matter to discuss with him.

  15. I was misquoted. I’m stunned this didn’t happen EARLIER! We all know newspapers are in a bad way. I have a plan, though. My plan is to have the government take money from Google and give it to me.

  16. I’m just curious why the the #5 most-read story at the Times website is the July, 2005 beginning of the Enumclaw horse scandal. Seriously, I saw the headline in there, did a double-take, and thought, “Oh, shit, it’s happening again.”

  17. One source rumor leaked to a TV reporter and rushed live without confirmation.

    This absolutely sounds like either rookie reporting or a deliberate move in a bigger game.

  20. @17 — More like: “Slog reader has a crackpot idea, rushes to libel journalist.”

    Linda Byron is probably the finest broadcast reporter in town — been around a long time, does the big stories, has top-notch sources.

    Credibility, certaindoom, it’s called credibility. You might want to get some.

  23. Classic maneuver during a recession – break contracts with your opposition and capture their markets.

    Hearst is going for Blethen’s jugular.

    And he knows it.

    Buh bye! Don’t let the door hit you on the way out!

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