WASHINGTON — Hunt Valley, Maryland-based Sinclair Broadcast Group Inc., working to complete its $3.9 billion acquisition of Tribune Media, says it will invest $12 million in its Hunt Valley headquarters and more than double its Maryland workforce.
Sinclair has 333 employees in Maryland currently, and says it expects to add 367 full-time employees by the end of 2023.
Sinclair owns 193 television stations in 89 U.S. markets, including WJLA Channel 7 in Washington.
Sinclair will get a $1.3 million conditional loan through the Maryland Economic Development Assistance Authority and Fund, and a $130,000 conditional loan from Baltimore County in connection with its pledge to expand.
Tribune shareholders in October approved Sinclair’s takeover, although the acquisition still requires approval from the Federal Communications Commission.
The Tribune acquisition would boost Sinclair’s television portfolio to 233 stations, making it the nation’s largest broadcaster, although regulatory approval may require Sinclair to divest some of those stations.
Sinclair has grown through acquisitions, including its 2013 acquisition of Allbritton Communications, owner of WJLA and News Channel 8, for close to $1 billion.
It has also expanded outside of traditional broadcast media, with acquisitions that have included Tennis Magazine and Tennis.com.
