James Murdoch Buys Vox Podcast Network In Reported $300 Million Deal.

After months of game planning various scenarios for its future, Vox Media in the end has decided that accepting James Murdoch’s offer was the best path forward. Murdoch will buy the Vox Media Podcast Network and New York Magazine in a transaction that will see the brands become a new Vox Media subsidiary at his Lupa Systems holding company.

Financial terms of the sale were not disclosed. But The New York Times reports it is valued at more than $300 million.

The new Vox Media will be led by Jim Bankoff, who co-founded Vox Media and has led its growth since its early days as a network of a dozen grassroots sports blogs. He will be CEO of the new Lupa-controlled company upon closing.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled to partner with James and Lupa Systems,” Bankoff says in a statement. “We are incredibly proud to have built and scaled several of the leading media properties of this generation. Together under Lupa’s stewardship we are primed to be the best home for talent and the most dynamic media company of this new era.”

Podcasting has been the fastest growing business within Vox Media. The podcast network is home to nearly 50 podcasts such as “Pivot,” “Today, Explained,” “Waveform: the MKBHD Podcast,” “Decoder,” “Solutions” and “Channels,” among others. The podcast network has also amassed a growing presence in live events, with nearly 50 live shows from across its portfolio in 2025 and more expected in 2026.

As a result, it had attracted several potential bidders as Vox considered its options. But Murdoch’s offer reportedly gained traction as it is said to include more upfront cash than what some other suitors had proposed.

While the print industry has suffered a collapse of readership in recent years, New York Magazine has largely weathered the storm. It includes several content verticals, including The Cut, Vulture, Intelligencer, The Strategist, Curbed, and Grub Street.

“This acquisition aligns well with our existing holdings and investments and reflects both our interest in the forward edge of culture and our deep commitment to ambitious journalism and agenda-setting conversations,” Murdoch says in the announcement. “It will allow us to apply new tools across the businesses we are building, adding substantial production, distribution, and editorial capability to our group.”

Lupa Systems currently holds a majority stake in Tribeca Enterprises, the parent company of the Tribeca Festival. It also holds an investment in MCH Group’s Art Basel, which holds annual events in Paris, Basel, Miami, Hong Kong, and Doha. Through Bodhi Tree Systems, Lupa also holds a material stake in India’s leading streaming entertainment and sports platform, JioStar with viewership of over 750 million.

James Murdoch is the son of media mogul Rupert Murdoch. He is reportedly flush with investment money after a family succession plan resulted in a $3.3 billion settlement — one that saw him relinquish a stake in a family trust to his father and brother, Lachlan. He also benefited from the sale of 21st Century Fox assets to Disney in 2019.

While the Vox Media Podcast Network and New York Magazine are heading to Lupa, the remaining Vox brands are being spun out into a new, yet-to-be-named independent company under the direction of current Vox President Ryan Pauley. They include Eater, Popsugar, SB Nation, The Dodo, and The Verge. Each will continue under its current leadership. While Bankoff says the expectation is that they will remain united, some analysts say the move could result in one or all the brands being acquired.

“Separating into two distinct companies best sets up our brands, shows, businesses, talent, and teams to continue to lead and prosper in the changing media landscape,” Bankoff said in an email to employees. “Each company will be better positioned to grow within a focused portfolio of complementary businesses.”

Vox expects the deal to close within four to six weeks.