Gawker Media Rumor Control

Last week rumors swirled around the Beltway that Ana Marie Cox reportedly approached Gawker Media with an offer to buy Wonkette, the political gossip website she founded and built into an acidic, sharp must-read for political junkies.

Portfolio.com chased down the rumor.

Lots of head scratching followed Gawker Media head Nick Denton's decision last month to unload his three least successful websites: Gridskipper, Idolator, and Wonkette.

Wonkette (where this reporter did a stint as site editor), was dumped into murky waters, now partly owned by longtime blogger and Denton friend Ken Layne and a website ad sales company, leaving some staff concerned about future employment.

And the Cox and Denton deal? Inside sources say it's a stretch. "They don't like each other," said a Gawker Media editor. "And they both have egos, as everyone knows." Shocking!

Reached by phone, Denton denied any truth to the rumor. Portfolio.com also reached Cox: "Didn't happen," she laughed. "You know what it is, the kernel of truth came from me being out at a bar drinking and saying, 'Oh, I'd love to own that site. That'd be great. I'd love that.'"

Cox recently left her her full-time Time.com blogging post for a contract deal, and plans on pursuing TV gigs and magazine work. She is also working on a book.

So much for new media!

by John Clarke Jr.

(Jeff Bercovici is on vacation.)