British publishing giant Pearson says that it is actively discussing a sale of the Financial Times.
The potential buyer remains unknown, and Pearson noted that a deal has not yet been reached.
In a statement issued Thursday morning, Pearson acknowledged “that it is in advanced discussions regarding the potential disposal of FT Group although there is no certainty that the discussions will lead to a transaction.”
The FT’s potential sale has long been the subject of media speculation. Pearson’s primary business is it educational textbook and publishing unit, and the Financial Times seems an odd fit.
One potential suitor could include the media company Bloomberg, which purchased Businessweek magazine for $5 million in 2009 but lacks a daily print publication.
Reuters, which first reported that the FT was up for sale, noted that Germany’s Axel Springer newspaper publisher and Thomson Reuters could also be bidding on the FT.
The Twitter hashtag #FTbuyerguesses has attracted some comical, if deeply nerdy, suggestions.