• by David Goetzl , March 7, 2008

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Will Mike Bloomberg leave City Hall and opt to buy The New York Times, as rumor has it? Would a vanity publisher--or frustrated investors--swoop in to make a bid for the venerable and struggling property?

Nope, according to a top Times executive. It's not on the block, despite the gossip.

"It's false," said Martin Nisenholtz, senior vice president of digital operations, at the AAAAs event on Wednesday.

The categorical denial comes as the Times company stock is trading well below its 52-week high of $26.87 (at $17.90). Investors are pressing the controlling Sulzberger family to relinquish some control. Ad revenues are down as classified advertising weakens; and the workforce is being reduced.