A family dispute over the future of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and sister newspaper Toledo Blade has been resolved with Allan Block’s reappointment as CEO of Block Communications Inc., according to an announcement from the company.
Karen Block Johnese and Post-Gazette publisher and editor in chief John R. Block will serve as chair and vice chair of the board, respectively, as part of a settlement reached at the Post-Gazette’s corporate parent in Toledo, Ohio.
In a statement issued Thursday, BCI said it was looking forward to “continuing to serve its customers and communities.”
In early May, Allan Block filed a four-count lawsuit in Lucas County Court of Common Pleas in Toledo to stop what he called an “ill conceived, resentment fueled” effort by his twin brother, John Block, and other board members, to sell Block Communications’ assets, including the Post-Gazette and Toledo Blade. John Block denied intentions to sell either newspaper.
An exploratory committee had been formed by the board in January to “explore strategic alternatives for the company,” including a possible sale, but Allan Block claimed in legal filings that he had been sidelined from committee deliberations. In May, board vice chair Ms. Johnese replaced Allan Block as chair. He was appointed to serve on the committee.
Allan Block is a 25% stockholder in BCI and so is his brother, John Block. Family trusts, whose beneficiaries are members of the Block family, collectively own 50% of the company.
BCI was founded by Allan and John Block’s grandfather, Paul Block, in New York City nearly 125 years ago, according to the earlier lawsuit.
In addition to operating the two newspapers, BCI is a privately held media holding company that owns cable television stations and provides broadband, residential and commercial telephone service. The Post-Gazette, which traces its roots back almost 125 years, publishes every day online and print editions two days a week.
A trial in the lawsuit had been scheduled to start in mid-October.
First Published: October 3, 2024, 7:39 p.m.
Updated: October 4, 2024, 9:39 a.m.
