Sumner Redstone’s daughter, Shari Redstone, has been in direct contact with Alibaba founder Jack Ma in connection with the sale of Paramount Pictures, sources tell The Post.
The two are said to have spoken last week as Shari gets up to speed on the studio’s sales process, currently being executed by her chief adversary, Viacom Chief Executive Philippe Dauman.
Indeed, Shari Redstone, just steps away from a complete takeover of Viacom — the owner of MTV and Comedy Central — was on the Paramount lot with her dad on Friday.
The news emerged after lead independent director Fred Salerno penned an open letter to Sumner Redstone to explain he is being prevented from communicating with the 93-year-old mogul.
Shari Redstone’s communications with the Alibaba chief, who is believed to be kicking the Paramount tires, adds more drama which is threatening to tank Viacom.
Senior staff are starting to exit Viacom. MTV head of reality, Lauren Dolgen, exited after 19 years, according to reports. Nickelodeon’s content development president, Russell Hicks, is exiting, too.
The Post reported earlier that ad sales boss, Jeff Lucas, has a deal to join Snapchat.
Meanwhile, National Amusements — Viacom’s controlling shareholder — started talks with investment banks about the Paramount sales process to gather more information about the sale, Reuters reported.
Salerno’s letter appears to confirm that Viacom is having issues moving the sale along amid all the drama.
“It is important for all shareholders that we are able to pursue this investigation without any new obstacles that may cause potential investors to shy away from the process,” Salerno wrote.
Viacom had hoped to use the proceeds from the expected $7 billion sale of 49 percent of the studio to pay down debt and perhaps boost its share price by $10.
Sumner Redstone signaled earlier that he is against a sale, but comments issued through advisers since then suggest he will consider it.
Separately, sources tell The Post the Redstones have reached out to DreamWorks CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg, through back channels to see if he has an interest in running Viacom. A representative for Katzenberg declined comment.
A spokesperson for Shari Redstone declined comment on any meeting with Ma.