The Chandlers have separately approached Los Angeles billionaires Eli Broad, Ron Burkle and David Geffen as well as at least one private equity firm or group about bidding for all or part of Tribune Co., the Chicago Tribune reported.

The Chandlers, who founded the Times and are the largest shareholder in the Chicago-based media company, are reportedly working behind the scenes to fashion a bid that would minimize their tax liabilities.

The report also noted the company has recently given a series of presentations to separate teams of private equity firms interested in making a bid for the company, as well as to rival media giant Gannett Co. and representatives of Broad and Burkle.

The seven private-equity firms expressing interest in Tribune, according to the report, are Chicago’s Madison Dearborn Partners, New York’s Apollo Management and Providence Equity Partners of Providence, R.I.; another team of Texas Pacific Group and Thomas H. Lee Partners; the Carlyle Group of Washington, D.C.; and Boston’s Bain Capital.

Shares in the Tribune Co. were up 11 cents to $31.47 early Thursday.