Broadcaster/evangelist Pat Robertson has had his run-ins over the years with the Virginian-Pilot, the major daily newspaper in the Norfolk area, including his home base of Virginia Beach. But now that Landmark Communications has put all of its media properties up for possible sale, Robertson sees an opportunity. "Although the price for The Weather Channel is a little rich for my blood, I am considering a potential bid for the Pilot and have asked my attorneys to look into it. It would be particularly helpful to provide internships for Regent University journalism students," Robertson said in an email that his personal assistant sent to the newspaper. Robertson is the founder and President of Regent University in Virginia Beach, in addition to founding the Christian Broadcasting Network and hosting the daily “700 Club.” Price speculation for Landmark’s crown jewel, The Weather Channel and its Internet site, has been in the five billion range. There hasn’t been much price speculation yet on the Norfolk market newspaper’s value.
RBR observation: Is Robertson serious, or did he just want to scare the living daylights out of the newspaper staff? We wait to see what happens.
