Virgin Won’t Buy Playboy; Acquisition Rumors Linger

LOS ANGELES — Rumors keep swirling over the possibility that Playboy Enterprises Inc. will be sold, despite news on Thursday that Virgin Media has no intention of buying the company.

British entrepreneur Richard Branson's Virgin Group, which has a minority stake in Virgin Media, told Reuters that it won’t acquire the company.

But now the rumors have shifted, and it could be the case that another bid could be in the works, now that Apollo Capital Partners and Providence Equity Partners have declined to be involved in an acquisition for the adult entertainment giant.

One company speculators have repeated is Ackrell Capital.

Peter Holt Gardiner told XBIZ that he could not “confirm nor deny" reports "on current clients” that his company, Ackrell Capital, is involved in acquisition talks.

Ackrell Capital is a San Francisco-based investment banking firm that specializes in mergers and acquisition transactions, as well as IPOs and private placements. The company claims all of its deals total more than $10 billion.

And Gardiner is no stranger to Playboy.

He was managing director with Eclipse Entertainment Capital, a strategic advisory firm with a focus on the entertainment and digital media businesses, when he brokered the $17.6 million Club Jenna deal that was sealed with Playboy in 2006.

Playboy has been on the block for $300 million since early this year, despite the fact that it only has a current market cap of $100 million.

The Chicago-based company has suffered financially because of advertising cutbacks and other effects of the recession. It posted a $13.7 million quarterly loss in May on a more than 20 percent revenue decline.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Rocco Siffredi Directs New Rebel Rhyder Showcase

Evil Angel has released Rocco Siffredi’s Rebel Rhyder showcase title, "Rebel Meets Rebel."

JuicyAds Wins Trademark Infringement Case Against Fraudulent Domain

JuicyAds has won its World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) case against a website using a similar domain to impersonate the company's site and defraud customers.

Shalina Devine Toplines 'Thr3e #7' From Dorcel

Shalina Devine headlines the latest release from Dorcel, titled "Thr3e #7."

Chloe Amour Headlines 'Unfaithful Betrayal 3' From Bellesa Films

Chloe Amour toplines the third volume of “Unfaithful Betrayal” from Bellesa Films.

Anissa Kate, Jordan Starr Top AEBN for Q2 of 2025

AEBN has published its top-selling stars for the second quarter of 2025, with Anissa Kate landing atop the leaderboard for straight theaters and Jordan Starr heading up the gay rankings.

Misty Addams Makes Her WIFEY Debut

Misty Addams stars with husband Island Boy Brandon and 2024 XMA Europas Male Performer of the Year Christian Clay in the latest release from Vixen Media Group studio imprint WIFEY.

AEBN Reveals Eva Maxim as Top Trans Star for Q2 of 2025

AEBN has published its top trans stars list for the second quarter of 2025, with Eva Maxim landing atop the leaderboard.

Pastelle Makes Her TransAngels Debut

Pastelle has made her TransAngels debut alongside Ali Rush in "Royal Sucksession."

A Day With Mike Quasar: Porn, Pets and Wit That Won't Quit

Mike Quasar has been working in the adult industry for 34 years. The highly respected veteran director admits to feeling a little astonished by this fact.

Show More