A Group of Women Are About to Buy and Lead the Weinstein Company

Maria Contreras-Sweet is close to completing the deal.

Maria Contreras Sweet listening to former president Barack Obama.
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Image via BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images

Maria Contreras Sweet listening to former president Barack Obama.

The Weinstein Company, which has been disgraced following the revelation of Harvey's alleged serial sexual misconduct, might take a powerfully significant turn for the better. Maria Contreras-Sweet is the frontrunner to soon complete a deal to override the company, Deadline reports.

The former head of the U.S. Small Business Administration for Barack Obama's presidency is this close to picking up the pieces of the company (it will have a different name) and start anew, giving it a new life where the majority will be both fronted and backed by women. Ron Burkle’s Yucaipa Enterprises and Lantern Capital are minority partners in the bid, according to sources. Bob Weinstein, who founded TWC with brother Weinstein, plans to exit and set up his own company. Earlier this week, it was announced TWC was close to being sold for less than $500 million.

The news comes before the evening's Golden Globes, where Hollywood figures—men and women alike—plan to support the #MeToo movement and those victims who have been silenced by wearing all black to the ceremony. 

Some of the biggestplayers in Hollywood have crumbled as countless accounts of sexual assault and misconduct have emerged over the past few months, with Weinstein's alleged predatory behavior being the most notorious case. He was fired from TWC in Oct. 2017.

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