Ron Burkle, The Weinsteins Gunning For Miramax
Once-proud studio Miramax died in January, and Disney is selling off its carcass for pennies on the dollar. But look who might snap it up: The Weinstein brothers, who built the place, and their billionaire pal Ron Burkle!
The LAT says that Disney got three bids for the studio yesterday: One from financier David Bergstein, one from Alec and Tom Gores, brothers and investors, and one from Burkle and The Weinsteins. "Both the Gores and Weinsteins are interested in keeping Miramax alive as a going concern," the LAT says.
The Weinsteins founded Miramax in 1979. Disney bought it in 1993, and after more than a decade of turmoil, The Weinsteins left in 2005 to start their own company. They have been less than financially successful recently. But the psychological lure of winning back Miramax is obvious. For Ron Burkle, billionaire Clinton pal, supermarket magnate, and model aficionado, it would certainly be, at least, a glamorous place to invest. And for us, the benefits are clear. We're crossing our fingers for you, guys.