The year 2022 began with the deal of the century – Microsoft buys Activision Blizzard. Many noticed that the “small softies” have a great time for shopping, because after a series of scandals, the value of AB shares has declined markedly. If the published document is to be believed, Phil Spencer’s charges were indeed in a hurry to close the deal.

You can read about Microsoft’s merger process with Activision Blizzard in papers released by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Comparing the data from the document with news reports, you get the following picture:

  • November 16, 2021 – The Wall Street Journal publishes a high-profile article stating that Bobby Kotick, the head of AB, knows full well what is going on at the company, but is hiding it. In addition, the newspaper accused Kotik himself of inappropriate behavior.
  • November 18, 2021 – Phil Spencer, along with other industry leaders, criticized AB in a written newsletter within his organization.
  • November 19, 2021 – according to the document, that was the day Spencer contacted Kotick. At the time, the Xbox boss said Microsoft wanted to discuss strategic opportunities between the two firms.
  • November 20, 2021 – Microsoft head Satya Nadella announces an offer to buy Activision Blizzard during a phone conversation with Bobby Kotick.
  • November 26, 2021 – Phil Spencer named the approximate amount for which Microsoft is willing to buy AB. As stated in the papers, the T-shirts wanted to buy back the shares at $80 apiece.
  • January 18, 2022 – negotiations end. The parties agreed on a value of $95 per share. Microsoft announces the deal to the world.

The document also states that Bobby Kotick contacted a number of other companies during negotiations with the T-shirts. For example, one unnamed businessman offered to buy some of AB’s assets. However, we already know that Microsoft has saved it all for itself, for which it will shell out almost $69 billion.

Recall that at the moment the deal is still being reviewed by antitrust authorities. If the U.S. authorities do not approve the merger, Microsoft will pay Activision Blizzard $2-3 billion. And if the shareholders of AB give up, the penalty will come to the authors of Call of Duty and Overwatch – $2.27 billion.