With the news this morning of two star reporters leaving the New York Times, it can’t help but feel like a mini-exodus is taking place. (In addition to Brian Stelter and Matt Bai, New York Times Magazine editor Hugo Lindgren is reportedly on his way out, and it’s only Tuesday.)
Once upon a time, a job at the Times was like a life appointment, and leaving the comforts of the tower was considered absurd. But, perhaps owing to a combination of staff cutbacks, changes in management, and ever-increasing numbers of new-media companies with money to throw around, both on the web and in television, the Paper of Record’s brand-name employees are more in play than they’ve ever been.
Since voluntary buyouts at the start of 2013, which stripped the Times of some institutional wisdom — the departed included editors John Geddes, Jonathan Landman, Jim Roberts, Joe Sexton, and more — more than a dozen other big names have moved on. Below, a list; let us know if we missed anyone.
-Political reporter Jeff Zeleny (ABC News)
-National reporter Susan Saulny (ABC News)
-Nation deputy editor Lisa Tozzi (Buzzfeed)
- Real-estate reporter Alexei Barrionuevo (documentary project)
- Stats guru Nate Silver (ESPN)
- “Styles” reporter Eric Wilson (InStyle)
- Tech writer David Pogue (Yahoo)
- NBA reporter Howard Beck (Bleacher Report)
- NFL reporter Judy Battista (NFL Network)
- Senior editor Rick Berke (Politico)
- New York Times Magazine editor Hugo Lindgren (TBD)
- Media reporter Brian Stelter (CNN)
-New York Times Magazine political writer Matt Bai (Yahoo News)
