Real estate magnate Jeff Greene said to eye purchase of Worcester, Mass., paper from Times Co.

Real estate magnate eyes Worcester, Mass., paper

WORCESTER, Mass. — Billionaire real estate magnate and Worcester native Jeff Greene is reportedly among those interested in buying Worcester’s Telegram & Gazette from its owner, The New York Times Co.

The president of Greene’s Florida-based investment company has told the Telegram & Gazette that it is among the business opportunities the firm is evaluating. Bret Berlin would not say whether Florida Sunshine Investments has made a formal bid.

Greene would be competing with a local group led by retired Telegram & Gazette editor Harry Whitin and Polar Beverages Co. chief executive Ralph Crowley. Whitin says the Times Co. has received a bid from his group.

The Times Co. announced in October that it would not sell The Boston Globe but left open the possibility of selling the Worcester newspaper.

Information from: Telegram & Gazette, www.telegram.com