Microsoft and Bobby Kotick STILL Haven't Discussed His Post-Acquisition Employment Yet

After Microsoft preped to drop a whopping $68.7 billion to acquire Activision Blizzard during sprawling lawsuit hell, people have been curious whether its CEO, Bobby Kotick, would stay on in some capacity or get the boot. Despite mass walkouts and further information regarding instances of sexual harassment, Activision Blizzard has stated that Microsoft and Bobby Kotick haven't discussed his post-acquisition employment.

Within the new U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing, there was mention of both entities, Microsoft and CEO Bobby Kotick, exposing that his potential employment status is basically on the fence until acquisition. Axios' Stephen Totilo on Twitter described a new addition to the SEC filing as such:

On Friday, Activision added a line to its main filing about the planned sale to Microsoft, stressing that Microsoft and Bobby Kotick haven't discussed nor negotiated his post-merger employment status.https://t.co/w9N3sXZM2g

Hmmm pic.twitter.com/dWqhxj8TbG

— Stephen Totilo (@stephentotilo) April 18, 2022

Game Informer described the possibility of Bobby Kotick receiving a "golden parachute" upon the closing of the acquisition. With a hefty sum of money in his pocket, he would practically walk free from his current responsibilities due to the security of his contract at Activision Blizzard. All of this is purely speculative, of course, but it's very worrying that those who have been abused under his leadership may have to swallow the fact that their actions could never touch Bobby Kotick. The walkouts may not bear the fruit they hope to and the reports of past abuse might only be scathing to his name and not his pockets, and that would not be alright for the future of the gaming industry.

Note: Activision Blizzard is still under investigation by the state of California for serious harassment charges. CEO Bobby Kotick is alleged to have known about such actions within his company – and performed some himself – and shielded the perpetrators from consequences.