Gannett Acquires Golfweek...

After a long run, the Crains have sold Golfweek to Gannett, publishers of USA Today, For The Win! and multiple media properties across the United States.

While the sale is seen as a distress sale by some, the news still caught the industry off guard. Golfweek was seeing positive signs on the business side, particularly with its website, while maintaining its editorial consistency under publisher Alex Miceli.

The press release says Gannett is efforting attempting to be "a leader in the golf vertical" with its "more than 5 million unique monthly avid golf fans." Dave Morgan, a veteran of the journalism industry having formerly been at the LA Times and Yahoo, will take over as publisher. Gerry Ahern has been named Editor in Chief.

From their press release:

“Golfweek gives us amazing depth and expertise to bring to our strong golf audience across the USA TODAY NETWORK,” says Dave Morgan, president of the USA TODAY Sports Media Group, who will also serve as publisher of Golfweek. “We are thrilled to add such a trusted and respected brand as Golfweek to the USA TODAY family and are confident that this will provide tremendous new opportunities for Golfweek and our partners.”

“I have been fortunate to work alongside the talented team at Golfweek over the last 25 years. Their dedication to producing engaging golf content and experiences for Golfweek’s avid golfer audience will be a valuable asset to Gannett,” says Rance Crain, Golfweek’s chairman who will continue on as a special advisor to USA TODAY Sports Media Group.”

Morgan said Golfweek will continue to focus on being an authoritative voice in professional, college and amateur golf, in addition to growing its events and custom publishing businesses. Golfweek’s headquarters will remain in Orlando, Florida with offices in New York City, Los Angeles, and McLean, Virginia (where Gannett is headquartered).

There have been multiple layoffs on the sales and production side.

Two veterans of the editorial side have been bought out as well.