Univision Holdings Inc. has offered to acquire Gawker Media LLC, challenging a $90 million stalking-horse bid from media company Ziff Davis LLC in the auction for the U.S. internet publisher, Reuters reported today. Univision's bid for Gawker illustrates how the U.S. Spanish-language broadcaster is seeking to expand its digital media properties, and is not shying away from a news brand that has often courted controversy to build a cult readership. Despite the media hype that is usually associated with Gawker, however, Univision's sole bid shows that interest in the auction was otherwise limited. An investment banker representing Gawker said in court last month that he had a list of 40 potential buyers he planned to market the company to. Gawker filed for bankruptcy in June, with a pre-packaged acquisition proposal from Ziff Davis, setting the floor for any other offers at the bankruptcy auction. The New York-based publisher sought bankruptcy after facing a $140 million court judgment following an invasion of privacy lawsuit from former professional wrestler Hulk Hogan over the publication of excerpts from a sex tape.
