The word: Time Inc. sale is imminent

The Time Inc. sweepstakes is about to wind down.

The publisher of Time, Sports Illustrated, Fortune and a slew of other titles is rumored to be close to settling on a buyer.

The announcement could come by week’s end, according to Bloomberg News. And it looks as though it will come with a hefty pricetag.

The company’s said to have attracted bids valuing its stock at more than $20 per share. That translates into a $2 billion deal.

That’s slightly higher than the stock’s current market value. It’s also up 40 percent since November, when an investment group led by Edgar Bronfman Jr.  set off the bidding for Time Inc. by making an unsolicited offer.

The offer was rebuffed, but Time Inc. went on the block and attracted a slew of suitors. Four reportedly remain, including two that have managed to keep their identities secret.

Meredith leads the pack of potential Time Inc. buyers

Meredith is considered the favorite to woo Time Inc.’s board. The company made an unsuccessful bid for the rival publisher three years ago.

Its female-focused brands are seen as a good complement to many of Time Inc.’s lifestyle titles. But it’s unclear what would happen to the harder news publications such as Time and Fortune under such a deal. They could be sold off by Meredith later.

Another group includes investors from private equity firms.

Still, Time Inc.’s board is said to be considering another option if it doesn’t get the price it wants for the entire company.

Then it would sell off a handful of titles individually, while pushing to remake the company with an entirely digital focus.

Time Inc. has already embraced a digital-first mindset on the business side over recent months under the leadership of former Fox executive Rich Battista, who took over as chief executive officer last September.

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