Fuller family acquires Chattanooga Times Free Press from WEHCO Media
What's the deal? Chattanooga entrepreneurs Craig FullerDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → and his father, Max FullerDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, have acquired the Chattanooga Times Free PressDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → from WEHCO MediaDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →. The transaction takes effect July 31, 2026, and financial terms were not disclosed.
Why now? WEHCO has owned the newspaper for decades but said it has struggled to achieve consistent profitability, even while producing award-winning journalism. The sale returns ownership to local investors as many regional news organisations search for sustainable business models.
Who's taking over? Craig Fuller will become chief executive officer. He founded FreightWaves and Firecrown MediaDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, both Chattanooga-based companies focused on digital publishing and data-driven business models. The Fuller family also has longstanding ties to transportation through companies including US XpressDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, Covenant Transport and Transcard.
What's the endgame? "Our plan is to restore the Times Free Press to profitability while investing in its future, so that our children and grandchildren benefit from the journalism and storytelling this paper has delivered for generations," Fuller said. The new owners are expected to focus on financial performance while keeping the paper's role as one of Tennessee's leading news organisations.
The signal: The deal reflects a broader shift in local news, as community-based investors and digital media entrepreneurs increasingly step in to acquire legacy newspapers.
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