Developer Doug Manchester and radio executive John Lynch took ownership of The San Diego Union-Tribune today.
In a memo to employees, Manchester and Lynch said Mike Hodges, whose background is in digital media, will be the newspaper's president and chief operating officer.
Manchester is known for building the Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel on San Diego's waterfront and his financial backing of a proposition that banned gay marriage. He and Lynch said one of their motivations for buying the newspaper was "to create a far reaching integrated media company, as well as a daily newspaper, second to none in this great country.''
They said the newspaper should be owned by San Diegans.
"With this stewardship, comes a responsibility to provide a quality product and to be the moral compass of this community,'' the memo said.
Today's newspaper masthead included the line "The World's Greatest Country & America's Finest City," where the paper used to boast its readership.
Lynch has started and owned several area radio stations and is the father of retired NFL All-Pro safety John Lynch Jr.
In the memo, the owners invited employees to a catered breakfast on Friday to share their goals and strategies.
