Reports: Tribune Co. weighing bankruptcy filing

[December 08, 2008]  CHICAGO (AP) -- Tribune Co., owner of the Los Angeles Times and Chicago Tribune, other newspapers and the Chicago Cubs and Wrigley Field, has hired financial advisers ahead of a possible filing for bankruptcy-court protection, according to reports on Sunday.

The Chicago Tribune reported its parent hired investment bank Lazard Ltd. and law firm Sidley Austin as it considers its financial options.

Tribune Co. spokesman Gary Weitman told the newspaper that the company was looking at all its options and had not made any decision on the matter.

Weitman did not immediately respond to requests from The Associated Press for comment. Lazard spokeswoman Judi Mackey said the firm declined to comment on the reports.

The Wall Street Journal, quoting people familiar with the matter, said a bankruptcy filing could come as early as this week. It said Tribune Co.'s cash flow may not be enough to cover nearly $1 billion in interest payments that are due this year.

Tribune was taken private last December in an $8.2 billion buyout led by real estate mogul Sam Zell.

Last month, Tribune said its debt load increased to $11.8 billion at the end of the third quarter, up from $9.4 billion a year ago. It posted a loss of $121.6 million for the third quarter as newspaper advertising revenue dwindled.

The company had originally expected its newspaper and broadcast revenue to cover interest and principal on its debt. But plummeting advertising revenue at most Tribune newspapers this year has forced Tribune to cut costs, including staff, and to sell assets to raise money.

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services downgraded Tribune's debt further into junk territory last month, saying the credit crunch could delay the sale of assets -- and limit the amount that the company could get for them -- including the Cubs, Wrigley Field and its 25 percent interest in Comcast SportsNet Chicago.

[Associated Press]

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