A Partnership Born of Necessity (Image Credits: Unsplash)
Las Vegas – The Las Vegas Review-Journal ceased inserting the Las Vegas Sun into its daily editions on Friday, marking the end of a printing partnership that dated back decades. Federal courts have ruled twice that a key 2005 agreement between the newspapers was unenforceable, leaving the Review-Journal with no legal obligation to continue. This development follows years of litigation and reflects broader shifts in the newspaper industry.[1][2]
A Partnership Born of Necessity
The relationship between the two papers began in challenging times for print media. The Las Vegas Sun, founded in 1950 by the Greenspun family, faced financial difficulties by the late 1980s. In 1989, it entered a joint operating agreement with the Review-Journal, which took over printing, distribution, and advertising sales while paying the Sun for its editorial content.[2]
This arrangement allowed both outlets to maintain separate newsrooms and editorial voices – one leaning liberal, the other conservative – under the federal Newspaper Preservation Act of 1970. The Review-Journal handled business operations, ensuring the Sun could focus on journalism. A 2005 amendment shifted the Sun to a daily morning insert within the Review-Journal’s paper, set to last until 2040.[3]
Cracks Emerge in the Agreement
Tensions rose after Sheldon Adelson acquired the Review-Journal in 2015. By 2019, the paper sought to terminate the deal, citing alleged breaches by the Sun, including quality issues and actions that discouraged readers from buying the Review-Journal. The Sun countersued, claiming antitrust violations if the partnership ended.[2]
Federal courts became the battleground. In August 2025, a Ninth Circuit panel declared the 2005 agreement unlawful because it lacked prior written consent from the U.S. Attorney General, as required by law. The judges noted: “We conclude that, because it did not receive the required ‘prior written consent of the Attorney General,’ the 2005 JOA is unlawful and unenforceable.”[3]
Court Victories Pave Way for Change
The Sun appealed, but the U.S. Supreme Court denied review on February 23, 2026, upholding the Ninth Circuit’s decision. Undeterred, the Sun secured a preliminary injunction from U.S. District Judge Anne Traum on March 12, 2026, ordering the Review-Journal to keep printing amid ongoing disputes.[4][5]
That order did not last. On March 31, 2026, the Ninth Circuit intervened again, with Judges Daniel Collins, Lawrence VanDyke, and Salvador Mendoza Jr. ruling that Traum’s directive “directly contravenes our mandate.” They instructed her to vacate it, clearing the path for the Review-Journal to stop.[6]
- 1989: Initial JOA established to save struggling Sun.
- 2005: Amendment makes Sun daily insert; no federal approval.
- 2019: Review-Journal moves to end partnership.
- Aug. 2025: Ninth Circuit deems 2005 JOA unenforceable.
- Feb. 2026: Supreme Court declines appeal.
- Mar. 2026: Traum’s injunction; quickly vacated.
- April 3, 2026: Printing stops.
Arguments from Both Sides
The Review-Journal argues the Sun must now stand alone, pointing to its digital presence and social media following. Chief Legal Officer Ben Lipman stated the Ninth Circuit reaffirmed the 2005 deal’s invalidity, calling further motions a “back-door effort” to evade the ruling. Publisher Keith Moyer noted joint agreements like this are relics in a digital age.[3][6]
The Sun warns of dire consequences, with attorney Leif Reid saying the halt causes “irreparable harm to our community.” It seeks to revert to the 1989 terms automatically and argues two voices strengthen democracy. Sun COO Robert Cauthorn prepared contingency print pages, hoping for a quick court reversal.[2]
| Aspect | Review-Journal View | Las Vegas Sun View |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 JOA Status | Unenforceable, no AG consent | Invalid but 1989 JOA revives |
| Future Printing | Sun must print independently | Court should mandate continuation |
| Industry Role | JOAs obsolete | Preserves competition, civic health |
- Federal law requires Attorney General approval for new JOAs; 2005 lacked it.
- This ends the last major U.S. newspaper JOA.
- Courts prioritize legal compliance over preserving print traditions.
The decision reshapes Las Vegas media, potentially leaving readers with one major print option amid digital growth. Both papers maintain online editions, but the loss of the Sun’s physical insert raises questions about local journalism’s future. A hearing loomed Friday, where the Sun pushed for resumption.[2]
Las Vegas loses a layer of editorial diversity in print, though competition persists digitally. What impact will this have on the city’s news ecosystem? Share your thoughts in the comments.
