A.G. Sulzberger

Arthur Gregg 'A.G.' Sulzberger is chairman and publisher of The New York Times, the fifth generation of the Ochs-Sulzberger family to lead the paper since his great-great-grandfather Adolph Ochs bought it in 1896. He became publisher in 2018, succeeding his father Arthur Ochs Sulzberger Jr., and chairman of The New York Times Company in 2021. The family retains control through a dual-class share structure that keeps editorial direction in family hands even though the company is publicly traded.

Under Sulzberger, the Times has completed a transformation into a digital subscription powerhouse. The company reported about 12.8 million total subscribers at the end of 2025 - adding some 1.4 million net digital subscribers in the year - and crossed $2 billion in annual digital revenue for the first time, anchored by news plus its Cooking, Games, Wirecutter, and Athletic products.

Sulzberger has positioned the Times as the leading newsroom challenging AI companies in court. The Times sued OpenAI and Microsoft in December 2023, later added a suit against Perplexity, and by 2026 had spent more than $20 million on the litigation, which a federal judge allowed to proceed. Sulzberger has publicly accused AI firms of building products on the 'brazen theft' of journalism, even as the company signed its first AI licensing deal, with Amazon, in 2025.

What they control

• The New York Times: the most influential U.S. newspaper, with about 12.8 million subscribers
• Family control of The New York Times Company via Class B shares that elect a majority of the board
• A bundle of digital products - News, Cooking, Games, Wirecutter, The Athletic - that shape national agenda-setting
• A leading legal and policy posture on AI and copyright that could set industry precedent

Key institutions & holdings

Key facts

• Fifth generation of his family to run the Times; great-great-grandson of Adolph Ochs, who bought it in 1896.
• Publisher since 2018 and chairman of The New York Times Company since 2021.
• The Times reported about 12.8 million subscribers at the end of 2025 and topped $2 billion in annual digital revenue.
• The company sued OpenAI and Microsoft in December 2023 and later sued Perplexity over copyright.
• By 2026 the Times had spent more than $20 million on its AI litigation, which a judge allowed to move forward.
• Signed its first AI licensing agreement, with Amazon, in 2025.

Timeline

1. 1896Adolph Ochs buys The New York Times, founding the family dynasty.
2. 2018A.G. Sulzberger becomes publisher, succeeding his father.
3. 2021Becomes chairman of The New York Times Company.
4. 2023-12The Times sues OpenAI and Microsoft over copyright.
5. 2025The Times signs an AI license with Amazon and sues Perplexity.
6. 2025-2026Subscribers reach about 12.8 million; AI litigation costs surpass $20 million and proceed.

Controversies

Network

• Arthur Ochs Sulzberger Jr.Father and predecessorPrior chairman and publisher of the Times.
• Meredith Kopit LevienCEORuns The New York Times Company's business operations.
• Adolph OchsAncestorBought the Times in 1896, founding the family's control.