Bobby Kotick Will Stay Activision Blizzard CEO By means of Finish Of 2023 Following Microsoft Acquisition
After practically two years for the reason that announcement, Microsoft has formally acquired Activision Blizzard for practically $69 billion. Now, in emails from Microsoft Gaming CEO and Xbox Head Phil Spencer and Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick, we all know Kotick will stay CEO by the tip of 2023. Kotick says Spencer particularly requested him to stay as CEO by the tip of the yr to assist with the transition, now that Activision Blizzard is a part of the Xbox first-party umbrella.
“I’ve lengthy mentioned that I’m totally dedicated to serving to with the transition,” Kotick writes in an e mail he despatched to all of Activision Blizzard. “[Phil Spencer] has requested me to remain on as CEO of ABK, reporting to him, and we’ve got agreed that I’ll do this by the tip of 2023. We each look ahead to working collectively on a easy integration for our groups and gamers.”
Spencer writes in an e mail, “We could not be extra excited that Activision Blizzard staff are our colleagues, co-workers, and teammates. Bobby Kotick has agreed to stay in his position by the tip of 2023, reporting on to me, to make sure a easy and seamless integration. We look ahead to working collectively as a unified staff and we’ll share extra updates on our new organizational construction within the coming months.”
Since Microsoft introduced its intention to amass Activision Blizzard practically two years in the past for $69 billion, analysts have anticipated Kotick to make the most of certainly one of numerous “golden parachute” choices at his disposal on account of the acquisition. As reported by Axios final yr, if Kotick is fired/let go after this buy, he’ll be entitled to a $15 million payout.
He might additionally obtain as much as $22 million in inventory if Activision Blizzard’s board sees enchancment in firm tradition, following a 2021 report that Activision Blizzard harbored worker misconduct, sexual harassment, and extra. A later report indicated Kotick knew concerning the firm’s historical past of sexual misconduct leading to staff strolling out whereas demanding his resignation.
Past these two choices, as of February 2022 in Axios’ report, Kotick owns 6.5 million Activision Blizzard shares price $619 million at Microsoft’s worth, which he might promote.
Whereas we do not know conclusively if Kotick will go away Activision Blizzard in 2024, or if he will likely be let go (though Spencer asking him to remain on signifies Kotick will doubtless go away amicably, on his personal phrases, subsequent yr after the corporate transitions into the Xbox umbrella), we now know Kotick will stay CEO by the remainder of the yr.
For extra, examine how Microsoft has lastly and formally acquired Activision Blizzard. After that, examine how Kotick was reportedly interviewed by former late-night present host James Corden throughout an worker assembly about Guitar Hero and extra.
Do you assume Spencer made the best resolution to maintain Kotick as CEO by 2023? Tell us within the feedback under!
Supply: www.gameinformer.com
