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. You can watch the clip where they discuss this courtesy of IdleSloth84_, below.
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.
