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Could Michael Bloomberg now be the richest man in New York? Probably! Bloomberg LP is a private company, of course, and putting a price tag on the enormously profitable financial news giant has long been a challenge. It hasn't been any easier to peg Bloomberg's own net worth: Last year, after the Wall Street Journal suggested he might be worth as much as $13 billion, an embarrassed Forbes more than doubled his net worth from $5.5 billion to $11.5 billion, a reminder of just what a guesstimate the entire Forbes list really is despite their suggestions to the contrary.

So, yesterday, Merrill decides to to sell its 20 percent stake in Bloomberg LP back to Bloomberg for $4.5 billion. The move set off another round of guesses and an estimate that he could be worth as much as $16 or $17 billion. One problem with the math: As Merrill's CEO, John Thain, pointed out, the bank sold the stake at a substantial discount. So Bloomberg could be worth considerably more. (As much as $20 billion perhaps, says the Sun.) Which means Bloomberg would surpass the man who currently occupies the position as New York City's richest, David Koch, who, according to Forbes, is worth $17 billion. Koch also presides over a privately-held company. His net worth has also jumped considerably in recent years. (As of 2003, Forbes had estimated his net worth at $5 billion.) And much of his wealth is related to holdings in the oil and gas sectors, which, in case you haven't noticed, have been very profitable businesses as of late. So who knows! But someone needs to have bragging rights, don't they?