Satirical Site The Onion Acquired by Global Tetrahedron

The satirical news website, The Onion, has been sold by G/O Media to a group of digital media veterans. The Onion, known for its humorous take on current events, was founded in 1988 in Wisconsin as a weekly newspaper before transitioning to its current digital website format.

The acquisition was made by a new Chicago-based firm named Global Tetrahedron, comprising four digital media veterans who are passionate about The Onion’s content. The decision to sell came as G/O Media underwent a review of its portfolio, aiming to focus on leading sites in terms of audience and revenue.

Global Tetrahedron’s acquisition ensures that The Onion’s entire staff will remain intact and in Chicago, a condition insisted upon by G/O Media. The name “Global Tetrahedron” is a playful nod to a fictional company featured in a book written by The Onion’s staff in 1999.

Jeff Lawson, the co-founder and former CEO of Twilio, owns Global Tetrahedron, with Ben Collins, a former senior reporter at NBC News, serving as the CEO. Lawson expressed a longstanding desire to acquire The Onion and emphasized the importance of satire and humor in today’s world.

Collins highlighted the strong connection audiences have with The Onion and emphasized their commitment to preserving the website’s ethos. The new owners plan to maintain the existing staff and provide opportunities for growth while enhancing the user experience and exploring multimedia expansion.

Although the deal price was not disclosed, it was revealed that Noah Shachtman, the former editor-in-chief of Rolling Stone, provided advice on the project. The acquisition of The Onion marks the latest divestment by G/O Media, which has previously sold off several internet brands.

With this acquisition, Global Tetrahedron aims to preserve The Onion’s legacy and current media standards as an institution while fostering its growth and success in the digital media landscape.