Bobby Kotick's Activision Contract Ends On April 2024

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Jul 20, 2023

It seems Bobby was already leaving the company, Microsoft deal or not.

Bobby Kotick has been a contentious part of the conversation about the Microsoft Activision deal. Today, we found out one surprising fact about Bobby and his involvement with the deal, as well as with Activision.

As revealed by his interviewer David Faber on CNBC, Kotick’s contract with Activision actually ends this coming April 2024. Faber actually brings it up casually in interview, but it’s a fact that definitely changes everything we know about Bobby’s part in the deal.

To briefly review the facts, Activision had been sued by the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, for workplace misconduct and discrimination. Bobby was initially not named in the suit, but a WSJ investigation accused him of threatening to kill an employee, and inaction on these issues, which he was well aware of.

Bobby received criticism from employees and shareholders, but it’s important to remember that Activision Blizzard’s board of directors reasserted their support of him.

It isn’t clear when it was decided that Bobby would leave Activision Blizzard next year, but he already received another convenient way out, when he agreed to a deal for the company to be acquired by Microsoft. As part of the deal, he agreed to leave the company.

In this interview, Bobby said “I’ve committed to Microsoft for as long or as little as they need me to help with the integration.

…whatever I can do to ensure the integration goes smoothly I’m going to do.”

We already know that Bobby is saying what he means in this case, as he worked out an extension of the deal yesterday. For what it’s worth, Activision didn’t actually have to formally renew the deal, or redraw the conditions in Microsoft’s favor. They did so as a display of good faith, and confidence in the deal.

Faber also tried to probe Bobby on why he was willing to let go of his company. Bobby cited his desire to do what’s best for the company’s shareholders, but did not mention the ongoing litigation.

If Bobby does leave the company before he gets called up or investigated in the misconduct case, it may delay or hamper that investigation. Ultimately, however, as long as the prosecution do their job properly, they should be able to compel Microsoft and/or Activision, and even Bobby, to share the evidence they need, and to pursue any case vs him if it comes to that.

For now, while we don’t get any public updates on that investigation, all eyes are on the end of that deal. Bobby seems to be content with just walking away, perhaps to take care of other personal concerns. In any case, he seems confident he is leaving his company in good hands.

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Dude is going to get like a massive golden parachute. Good deal - I expect him to basically retire after this.

The real question is will the person who replaces him be worse?

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Dudes job was to get the deal done. In this sense he got it done early (possibly…always hard to say when clearing anti trust hurdles and regulatory approvals on when the deal actually closes).

It is likely he’ll be done early, and from a share holder stand point, it is actually job well done. From a gamer stand point…well…

Think about this… he knows he is out. ANd what if this is what’s happening before then?

Welp, he’s a tryhard latch to this day… morale of the story : it’s like black mirror by itself.

Old news but it’s a good reminder how things ended to this state. He had backing of his committee, on top of that he’s a majority shareholder. He’s good in making a moat for himself.

In 11/18/2021 Advocacy group ABK Workers Alliance recently published a document signed by 500 employees calling for Bobby Kotick’s removal as CEO of Activision Blizzard.

“We, the undersigned, no longer have confidence in the leadership of Bobby Kotick as the CEO of Activision Blizzard,” the petition reads. “The information that has come to light about his behaviors and practices in the running of our companies runs counter to the culture and integrity we require of our leadership—and directly conflicts with the initiatives started by our peers. We ask that Bobby Kotick remove himself as CEO of Activision Blizzard, and that shareholders be allowed to select the new CEO without the input of Bobby, who we are aware owns a substantial portion of the voting rights of the shareholders.”

Among the signatures are employees of various departments within Activision Blizzard proper as well as subsidiary studios like Infinity Ward, Treyarch, Sledgehammer Games, High Moon Studios, Raven Software, and Toys for Bob.

good on him bobby’s net worth was 600 millions, he can now go off to some beach surround him self with big booty ladies. shame we r the one who gave him those money