Several U.S. Senators Express Concerns About Microsoft – Activision Blizzard Merger

Activision Blizzard’s upper management will have to tread lightly while they wait for shareholders to vote on the fate of Microsoft acquisition deal. According to The Wall Street Journal, the deal has caught the attention of four U.S. senators who are concerned that the deal could affect the ongoing efforts to clean up the company’s frat boy culture.

Senators Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Cory Booker, and Sheldon Whitehouse wrote a letter to the Federal Trade Commission saying that the acquisition could be detrimental to employees’ calls for accountability and the ongoing federal and state investigations on alleged harassment, discrimination, and sexual abuse within the company. The senators also expressed concern that Bobby Kotick continues to head the company as CEO despite the allegations thrown at him.

An Activision Blizzard representative issued a statement in response to the letter assuring the senators and the FTC that the deal won’t throw a wrench in their continued efforts to improve their workplace culture.

“The transaction between Microsoft and Activision Blizzard will not interrupt any of the actions the Activision Blizzard’s leadership team has implemented throughout 2021 and is continuing to implement in 2022 with regards to improving our workplace […] No additional special compensation arrangements for Mr. Kotick were entered into in connection with the transaction.”

Meanwhile, the US District Course has approved the $18 million settlement between Activision Blizzard and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission despite the California Department of Fair Housing and Employment’s efforts to block it. More on that here.