It has been claimed that if Microsoft’s proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard does not go through, CEO Bobby Kotick will continue to stay in his current position.

The Wall Street Journal reported in January 2022 that sources familiar with Bobby Kotick’s plans claimed that the controversial CEO of Activision Blizzard was expected to leave. However, it has not been confirmed if this is true.

Now, Fox Business, citing sources close to the situation, claims that Kotick will remain as CEO if Microsoft’s proposed acquisition falls through. The publication asserts that if regulators prevent the takeover from happening, Kotick will continue to run the gaming company.

Reports had previously suggested that Bobby Kotick would leave Activision Blizzard after the Microsoft deal is completed. However, in a report to shareholders in April 2022, the company claimed that Kotick had not discussed his plans before or after the acquisition announcement. The report stated that there were no negotiations regarding Kotick’s post-closing employment with Microsoft prior to or after the approval and execution of the merger agreement.

If Kotick were to be terminated following Microsoft’s acquisition, he could potentially receive hundreds of millions of dollars.

Kotick had faced criticism after a November 2021 report by the Wall Street Journal, which claimed that he was aware of multiple sexual misconduct allegations at Activision Blizzard and was fostering a toxic workplace culture. Before Microsoft announced its plan to acquire Activision Blizzard, nearly 1900 out of the company’s approximately 10,000 employees signed a petition calling for Kotick’s resignation, which he reportedly told senior managers he would consider if he couldn’t “quickly fix” the culture issues at the company.