Playboy Reportedly Looking To Sell Itself

Image courtesy of The cover of a braille edition of Playboy. (Photo: Adam Fagen)

A mansion with Hugh Hefner inside might not be the only thing Playboy Enterprises is looking to get off its hands: the company is reportedly toying with the idea of selling itself. 

The Wall Street Journal, citing people familiar with the situation, reports that the company is exploring a sale to companies that would license the brand for use in consumer goods, new media outfits, and trophy buyers.

The sources estimate that the company could bring in about $500 million in a possible sale.

While Playboy, which was taken private in 2011, doesn’t disclose financial information, documents reviewed by the WSJ calculate the company’s 2015 revenue at $38 million for media, and $55 million from licensing its brand to other companies.

The company put the mansion — with Hefner still inside — on the market for $200 million in January; sources say the possible sale of the company could include that property.

Reports that the company might be exploring a sale come just months after the magazine announced it would be getting rid of full-frontal nude photos. The magazine’s March issue is the first one where models keep their clothes on.

Playboy Enterprises Explores Sale [The Wall Street Journal]

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