Pittsburgh City Paper Sold to Eagle MediaBack to News

Pittsburgh, PA – March 31, 2016 – Eagle Media, owner of the Butler Eagle daily newspaper and other media companies, acquired the Pittsburgh City Paper from Steel City Media, Eagle Media President Vernon L. Wise III announced today. 

Dirks, Van Essen & Murray, a merger and acquisition firm based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, represented Steel City Media in the sale. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The City Paper is celebrating its 25th year as the leading source of Pittsburgh’s entertainment and cultural news.

Steel City Media, owned by the Frischling family, had sought a buyer that would be able to continue to serve the city in a similar manner through local, experienced ownership. Steel City Media has decided to focus its full attention on its radio properties and will remain active in the Pittsburgh market. 

Mr. Wise also announced that Vance Smith, representing the fifth generation of the Wise family and the owners of Eagle Media, will be the publisher of the Pittsburgh City Paper and will manage day-to day operations.  The City Paper will continue to be printed in Butler, as it has for the past 10 years.

Smith said he is eager to build on the foundation that the Frischling family and their dedicated team of employees have built over the past 25 years, and plans continuous improvements to both the print and digital products.  No changes in personnel are anticipated. Smith added, “The Pittsburgh City Paper is a wonderful addition to our group of publications and allows for professional growth for all our employees in Butler and Allegheny counties.”

The sale includes the Pittsburgh City Paper digital site pghcitypaper.com, as well as burghbargains.com, and the CP Happs app. 

Eagle Media Corp. is headquartered in Butler and owns and operates the Butler Eagle, the Cranberry Eagle, the Butler Color Press, and Harmony Outdoor.

For more information contact Phil Murray at Dirks, Van Essen & Murray at 505-820-2700.