In a statement, Kushner, 38, said he is encouraged by the amount of support he is receiving. “We are particularly pleased with the commitment of our growing investor group to the continued and expanded excellence of journalism in Boston and Worcester,’’ his statement said. “When we have all of the pieces in place to not just purchase but enrich the institutions, we look forward to making a formal offer.’’
Kushner, who founded an Internet company and more recently ran Marian Heath Greeting Cards Inc. of Wareham, would not disclose how many investors have joined him or what he intends to bid.
“We are not discussing business terms at all,’’ he said through a spokesman.
A spokeswoman for the Times Co. declined to comment. The Times Co. previously tried to sell the New England Media Group and received three offers in 2009. However, the company took the papers off the market as financial conditions began to improve.
During the last several months, Kushner has courted business executives and others from Boston and around New England to either invest in his venture, or provide him with advice and other input. Among those who have been involved is a former Globe editor, Ben Bradlee Jr., as well as Benjamin and Stephen Taylor, members of the family that owned the Globe for generations before selling to the Times Co. for $1.1 billion in 1993. The Taylors have previously said they intend to invest in Kushner’s effort.
Also involved is Chris Harte, a former publisher of the Akron Beacon Journal and the Minneapolis Star Tribune, who is advising Kushner on media issues. He said he believes Kushner has developed a business plan that can help the Globe thrive.
“He’s come up with a way of doing things that’s radically different,’’ Harte said. “It’s not going to transform the product, but it will transform the way it does business.’’
