“Jones has a right that his assets not be sold unreasonably as a fire sale or for an illegitimate purpose, but that the process allows the opportunity for bona fide and fair bidding,” Lovell told Newsweek.

“If The Onion’s intent is to make a joke of all this and purposefully seek to ruin the asset at the expense of Jones receiving a more fair and reasonable bid, this would be grounds to disallow the sale.”

Jones’ assets have never been used for a legitimate purpose.