It is in alliance with the Hersant family that Bernard Tapie has just gotten hold of the titles of the Groupe Hersant Médias: La Provence, the editions of the Nice Matin group (Var Matin, Corse Matin, and Monaco Matin), and those of the Antilles and French Guiana (France-Antilles Guadeloupe, France-Antilles Martinique, and France-Guyane). The proposal, which would amount to about fifty million euros, is expected to be signed in the coming hours.
A specialist in taking over companies in deep trouble and former President of Olympique de Marseille, Bernard Tapie is not arriving in unknown territory, at least in the Phocaean city. The first rumors regarding a possible candidacy for the mayorship of Marseille by the new strongman of the Southern press did not take long to emerge, but for the moment, they are as unfounded as those of the businessman’s fleeting leadership of OGC Nice.
But, while Marseille seems to be Bernard Tapie’s main objective, it remains that the Provence package includes all the titles from Groupe Nice Matin. So, what changes will come within the Nice press institution, and what will this alter in the relationships with Niçoise, Azurian, and Corsican communities and institutions?
To find out, we will have to wait to understand the true intentions of Bernard Tapie, particularly in the directions he wants to give to these various press titles. It is clear that his arrival is far from going unnoticed, and it is likely to be a recurring topic of conversation during the end-of-year festivities.
