Skydance CEO David Ellison has held talks about acquiring Bari Weiss’ online publication The Free Press, The New York Times reported, citing two sources.The Times reports that Ellison is in early discussions about an acquisition, and that a deal may not come to fruition, given that Weiss has stated she wants to independently run the site.However, citing a person familiar with the matter, the paper reported that one option floated would be to have Weiss direct the “editorial sensibilities of CBS News,” but not to join the management team there.The talks comes as Ellison’s Skydance is trying to close its acquisition of Paramount, which owns CBS News. This is the second news item floating the idea that Ellison may be looking to make a deal with Bari Weiss. In late June, Oliver Darcy reported in his newsletter Status that Weiss was being courted for a role at CBS News.In early July, Paramount Global agreed to pay $16 million to settle a lawsuit from President Trump over the October interview that 60 Minutes conducted with Kamala Harris. The suit had been seen as a roadblock to completing the acquisition, as the deal requires regulatory approval and the transfer of FCC licenses under FCC chairman Brendan Carr.Weiss started The Free Press in 2021, after leaving The New York Times and citing disagreements over her “centrist” views and bullying from liberal colleagues. The site, which has more than 50 employees and more than 30 investors, according to the Times, as well as 1.5 million free and paid subscribers, as well as podcasts, videos and live events.The site has taken on topics such as DEI programs, transgender care and liberal bias in media and posted many pro-Israel articles. In September of last year, the site’s backers disclosed that it had raised $15 million from investors and valued itself at $100 million, per a Financial Times report.Both Weiss and Ellison are attending the annual Allen & Company conference in Sun Valley this week, the Times reported.
© 2025 The Hollywood Reporter.