Digital First Media announced Wednesday that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell The Salt Lake Tribune and its Affiliates (the “Tribune”) to Paul Huntsman, son of businessman and philanthropist Jon M. Huntsman, Sr. Paul Huntsman is president and CEO of Huntsman Family Investments in Salt Lake City. 

Headquartered in downtown Salt Lake City, The Salt Lake Tribune has been an independent news source since 1871 and covers local and national news, entertainment, sports and weather for the state of Utah. In 2015, the Tribune had an average paid distribution of 74,000 printed newspapers daily (excluding Sunday) making it the highest distributed daily newspaper in Utah. The Tribune also operates an online publication at www.sltrib.com.

“We are honored to be stewards of The Salt Lake Tribune,” Paul Huntsman said. “It is important that The Salt Lake Tribune continues in its indispensable role for our community and to be locally owned. We hope to ensure the Tribune’s independent voice for future generations and are thrilled to own a business of this quality and stature.

“Over the last 18 months, it has been a pleasure to work with Digital First Media to construct a transaction that would secure the long-term viability of The Salt Lake Tribune. This has been the key focus for all parties. We acknowledge the invaluable assistance of Dean Singleton, former publisher of The Salt Lake Tribune, and Jay Shelledy, former editor of The Salt Lake Tribune, and thank them for their continuing counsel and support in this transaction.”

Also headquartered in Salt Lake City, Huntsman Family Investments seeks to make direct, long-term investments in diversified industries around the globe.

“We have great respect for Paul Huntsman and the Huntsman family,” said Steve Rossi, CEO of Digital First Media. “The Salt Lake Tribune will be in the hands of strong local management. We wish Paul Huntsman and the Huntsman family … the best.”

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed at this time, and it is not clear how this will affect the two-year-old anti-trust lawsuit brought against the Salt Lake Tribune and the Deseret News by former staffers.