The New York Times retained Cushman & Wakefield to act at its agent in securing financing.

According to published reports, the Times Co. would sell the 19 floors it currently uses to locally based W.P. Carey & Co., which specializes in sale-leasebacks. The sale would not include the six floors that the Times Co. leases to other tenants, nor would it include the 42% of the building owned by Forest City Ratner Cos. Under the deal, the Times Co. would continue to occupy and manage its floors and would have the right to buy back the space after a 10-year lease expires.

A Times Co. spokeswoman is quoted in the Times article as declining to discuss the terms of the deal, and tells GlobeSt.com she cannot comment further on the negotiations. However, she says the Times Co. had previously announced it was pursuing a sale-leaseback arrangement for up to $225 million and would use the proceeds to pay down some of its long-term debt. A W.P. Carey spokesman contacted by GlobeSt.com declined to comment.

Earlier this week, the Times Co. entered into an agreement with banks controlled by Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim Helu for a $250-million loan. In a release, Times Co. CEO Janet Robinson says the loan "provides us with increased financial flexibility to continue to execute on our long-term strategy." She adds that the company is exploring "other financing alternatives" and is "focused on reducing our total debt."