Activision Says It Failed To Hire Another Woman For Its Board Due To Microsoft Deal Complications

Notably, however, Activision Blizzard has known it would need to comply with this law for some time. The law went into effect on January 1, 2019, at which time Activision Blizzard had two women on its ten-person board of directors: Reveta Bowers and Elaine Wynn. Wynn departed the board in 2020, at which time the company almost immediately appointed another woman, Dawn Ostroff, to replace her. The company has not appointed any other board members since Bowers’ appointment in 2018.

Talks between Activision Blizzard and Microsoft began in mid-November 2021 — just three days after a Wall Street Journal report revealed that CEO Bobby Kotick knew about the sexual assault and misconduct allegations happening at the company, but did not disclose them to the board of directors.

The California law in question has resulted in a dramatic increase in women appointed to board seats in the state. In the two years before the law’s enaction, only 208 women were newly appointed to board seats in California. In the two years after, 739 were appointed, and in the first quarter of 2021, women filled 45% of California board appointments.

This news comes while Activision Blizzard remains embroiled in a lawsuit from the state of California alleging the company fostered a “frat boy” culture in which women who worked there were subject to harassment, unequal pay, and a toxic working environment.

Activision Blizzard declined to comment further.

Source