Five Have Left Newsweek, Staffers Believe More Are To Follow. But, Lo: Another Potential Bidder!

Sorry, that’s a lot of headline. But a lot is happening over at Newsweek!

Earlier today, we told you about China’s Southern Daily Group’s bid to buy Newsweek. No word, of course, on whether their bid will be impacted now that news has broken that, in addition to the five Newsweek staffers that have already left the magazine, those still at the title say they expect more to leave.

The fallout so far: reporter Michael Isikoff announced he is leaving to NBC, in no small part due to Newsweek‘s impending sale. Executive editor Ted Moncreiff is leaving for the more fashionable pastures of W magazine. Communications director Frank De Maria is headed to NASDAQ. Writer and editor Barret Sheridan is on his way to Bloomberg Businessweek. And, finally, reporter Matthew Philips is headed to the Columbia Journalism School’s Knight-Bagehot fellowship program at the end of the summer.

One staffer tells Business Insider that “I’m sure there will be more departures in the coming weeks. Isikoff obviously hurts.”

But! There’s yet another (rumored) potential bidder: Business Insider also reports that hedge fund manager Phil Falcone of Harbinger Capital Partners, who has been unloading his stake in the New York Times Co. as of late, is interested in placing a bid. As is customary, however, he refused to comment on the rumors.

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