A New Chapter for La Stampa: GEDI Group's Sale to SAE Publishing

The GEDI Group, owned by Exor, the investment arm of the Agnelli-Elkann family, has signed a preliminary contract to sell the historic Turin daily newspaper La Stampa to the SAE publishing group. The transaction is expected to reach completion in the first half of 2026. This significant move marks a pivotal moment for La Stampa, a publication deeply rooted in the cultural landscape of Italy. The announcement highlights that the sale includes not only La Stampa itself but also its associated digital platforms, the printing center, and the commercial network for local advertising. Additionally, support activities for the editorial staff will also be transferred as part of this deal. The SAE group, which owns several local publications such as La Provincia Pavese, Il Tirreno, and La Nuova Sardegna, aims to ensure the continuity of La Stampa's editorial independence and preserve its historical ties to the region. The discussions surrounding the sale of La Stampa have been ongoing for some time. As early as December 2023, GEDI confirmed its intention to divest from the newspaper and its flagship, Repubblica. This announcement came during a period of intense speculation and protests from the editorial teams of both publications, leading to a strike that halted production and updates. Initially, GEDI was in negotiations with the Antenna group, a media conglomerate led by the influential Kyriakou family of Greece, but a surprising shift occurred at the end of January when Exor favored SAE's proposal over that of NEM, a group of Veneto entrepreneurs previously in the running to acquire the newspaper. SAE, while considered less financially stable than NEM, provided a compelling offer that swayed the decision-makers at Exor. The announcement regarding SAE's acquisition has left the editorial team of La Stampa shocked. They are now seeking guarantees for job security for all employees and transparency regarding the budget of the newspaper. While these concerns were vocalized, the official statement from GEDI did not address them. Moreover, reports have surfaced suggesting that Antenna may proceed to acquire the entire GEDI publishing group, encompassing other assets like the HuffPost news site and several radio stations before transferring La Stampa to SAE. This strategic maneuver could reshape the landscape of Italian journalism, particularly in times when traditional media outlets face unprecedented challenges. Historically, La Stampa has been under the stewardship of the Agnelli-Elkann family long before their acquisition of GEDI in 2019 from the De Benedetti family. Following this acquisition, numerous complaints arose from journalists within GEDI regarding reduced staffing, lack of vision for the future, and the pressures stemming from the matrimonial crises within the Stellantis automotive group—another prominent entity tied to Exor. As the media industry continues to grapple with declining revenues and readership, the impending transition of La Stampa to SAE comes at a critical juncture, prompting significant discussions about the future direction of the publication and the broader implications for journalism in Italy. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2