Take a bow, Randy: Merlin's vanishing act

Randy Michaels (standing, right)

Randy Michaels (standing, right)

“The end may be nearer than you think for Merlin Media. GTCR, the private equity firm that partnered with CEO Randy Michaels to form the company in July 2011, is actively seeking buyers for all of Merlin Media’s properties, including adult hits WIQI FM 101.1 and classic rock WLUP FM 97.9 here.” — Robert Feder, Time Out Chicago, Sept. 25, 2012

“Merlin is not for sale.” — Randy Michaels, Radio Business Report, Sept. 26, 2012 

News item: “Merlin sells WRXP/New York to CBS.” — AllAccess.com, Oct. 8, 2012

“Merlin is not for sale, and is looking at possible additions to our portfolio. Let’s focus building the Chicago and Philadelphia stations into great, profitable brands and great places to work." — Randy Michaels, FMQB, Oct. 8, 2012

News item: “Confirmed: Merlin Media has sold talk WWIQ FM 106.9/Philadelphia to Educational Media Foundation.” — AllAccess.com, Aug. 7, 2013

News item: “Cumulus buys Merlin’s Chicago stations: Sale of the two Merlin stations essentially closes another chapter in the saga of Randy Michaels, who launched the company in 2011 after his exit as CEO of Tribune Co.” — RobertFeder.com, Jan. 3, 2014

“When Feder says Merlin’s money people, GTCR, are ‘actively seeking buyers,’ I’m thinking I might believe a man who has been correct in his reporting for an entire career compared to a bloviating ex-swashbuckling radio dude.” — Jerry Del Colliano, Inside Music Media