BEHIND THE NEWS: Smulyan has dual roles, complicating buyout bid
The most interesting line in the press release announcing Jeff Smulyan’s proposal to buy out other Emmis Communications Corp. shareholders and take the company private didn’t appear until the second page. “[Smulyan] advised Emmis’ board that [he] will not agree to any other transaction involving Emmis or his shares of Emmis,” the statement read. The unequivocal message to buyout firms and rival radio companies: Don’t bother making a bid to buy my company. If you do, you’re wasting your time….