We're ready to make our case for the Microsoft deal in federal court

The FTC's desire to move the case to federal court is a welcome one, Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick writes.

Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick sent the following email to employees on Monday:

Team,

I want to share a positive development in our merger progress.

In December, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) launched an unsupportable effort to challenge the merger. Today it announced its intention to move the case to federal court. 

This is a welcome update and one that accelerates the legal process. We will now have the opportunity to more quickly present the facts about our merger, which:

• Supports our hundreds of millions of players 

• Helps protect American workers 

• Provides increased shareholder value for the millions of people whose retirement savings and pension benefits will increase as a result of the acquisition

• Enables two American companies to more effectively compete against the global competitors that dominate the video game industry around the world

Our excellent legal team has been preparing for this move for more than a year, and we're ready to present our case to a federal judge who can evaluate the transaction on the merits.

The facts are on our side, and we will continue to keep you updated throughout the process. 

As I’ve said before, we're in a strong position because of your dedication and hard work. I take deep pride in our continued success, and I hope you do as well. Thank you for your hard work and excellence.

Bobby

Previously

• Regulators in Europe approve the Microsoft deal (May 15, 2023)

• We’ll keep pressing our case for a Microsoft deal (April 26, 2023)

• A March update on the Microsoft deal (March 28, 2023)

• A February update on the Microsoft deal (February 8, 2023)

• A December update on the Microsoft deal (December 8, 2022)

• Defining the future: Announcing a merger with Microsoft (January 18, 2022)