USA TODAY Co., Inc. on January 26 announced plans to expand its network of more than 200 newspapers and strengthen its footprint in the Motor City by acquiring The Detroit News.
USA TODAY is one of the nation’s longest-running daily newspapers and owns the Detroit Free Press, its largest regional publication. The Free Press has been an editorial competitor with the Detroit News for 153 years.
Since 1989, USA TODAY (formerly Gannett) has overseen the business operations of the Free Press and controlled the advertising, publication, and production of The Detroit News through a joint management agreement, while MediaNews Group, owner of The Detroit News, has retained complete editorial control.
That joint operating agreement ended on December 28, 2025.
On January 26, the two media companies entered into a binding letter of intent with USA TODAY to acquire The Detroit News.
“USA TODAY will maintain the Detroit News and Detroit Free Press as separate products with distinct voices,” said Michael Reed, USA TODAY chairman and chief executive officer.
“The acquisition of Detroit News is a strategic investment that strengthens USA TODAY Network’s audience and portfolio of more than 200 local publications across the country and strengthens our commitment to local journalism in metro Detroit,” said Reed.
Readers can expect continued delivery of trusted, high-quality news and content in both print and digital from The Detroit News and Detroit Free Press, company officials said.
The deal is expected to close at the end of January, but company officials said they would not disclose the terms of the deal.
According to NiemanLab’s June 2025 report, Free Press and Detroit News ranked among the top 15 most-visited local news websites in the United States.
“After decades of successful operations, we are pleased to reach this agreement with USA TODAY now that the Joint Operations Agreement has expired,” said Media News Group COO Guy Gilmore. “Both companies have a shared desire to ensure these publications and their distinctive journalism continue to serve the greater Detroit area.”
The companies did not say why The Detroit News was put up for sale. But MediaNews Group, owned by hedge fund Alden Global Capital, has steadily reduced its holdings in newspapers in recent years as print advertising revenues continue to come under pressure.
“Fully welcoming The Detroit News to our network will allow us to continue delivering trusted, high-quality news and content to our local viewers and advertisers,” Reed said.
Detroit News editorial staff will no longer work at MediaNews Group once the deal is completed, but will be offered jobs at USA TODAY, USA TODAY officials said.
Established in 1989 under the Newspaper Preservation Act of 1970, JOA has consolidated business operations while maintaining two distinct editorial voices, providing business stability in the face of intense competition.
With print advertising in decline and digital competition intensifying, the JOA structure is increasingly viewed as unsustainable. In fact, this was the last JOA to exist between two U.S. newspapers.
The agreement highlights how a regulated cost-sharing model has given way to full integration as economic pressures reshape local news.
Funding for this transaction will be provided in part by funds managed by affiliates of Apollo (NYSE:APO). As part of the financing, certain terms of USA Today’s existing senior secured credit facility will be amended so that the facility will bear interest at a minimum of 150 basis points per annum based on SOFR plus a 4.5% margin. The closing of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions.
