Somehow, Activision CEO Bobby Kotick Will Keep His Job After Microsoft Acquisition
Microsoft is buying beleaguered publisher Activision Blizzard for the low, low price of just $68.7 billion. Both companies made the announcement earlier today in respective press releases, and both statements confirmed that CEO Bobby Kotick--the man accused of presiding over a culture of abuse and harassment at Activision--will somehow keep his job.
"Bobby Kotick will continue to serve as CEO of Activision Blizzard, and he and his team will maintain their focus on driving efforts to further strengthen the company’s culture and accelerate business growth," read today’s statement. The only saving grace is that Kotick will soon report to Xbox head Phil Spencer, who has enjoyed a scandal free career.
Related: Bobby Kotick Should Have Been Forced Out Of The Gaming Industry Years Ago
How Kotick can retain his position despite being perhaps the most toxic man in gaming remains a bit of a mystery. Activision Blizzard's problems first started last summer after a California lawsuit accused the company of harboring a “frat boy workplace culture” rife with abuse and discrimination. Kotick managed to deflect much of the blame until a Wall Street Journal report implicated the Activision CEO directly in emails and interviews with former staffers. Accused of ignoring reports of harassment and even allegedly assaulting a former assistant, the report led to renewed calls for Kotick's ousting.
However, it seems like Microsoft has no plans to remove Kotick from his position. In fact, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella told investors after the announcement that he was "grateful" for Kotick's "leadership and commitment to real culture change."
That change will have to start soon. The whole Call of Duty series is suffering thanks to an ongoing strike
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