• Loading stock data...
Sunday, March 9, 2025
Nominations Are Open for Front Office Sports Honors! Submit Now

FTC Makes Another Move to Block Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard Takeover

  • The Federal Trade Commission will file an injunction to block Microsoft’s takeover before the deal’s July 18 deadline.
  • Microsoft’s $69 billion Activision acquisition also faces opposition from U.K. regulators.
The FTC is filing an injunction to block Microsoft's deal.
Shutterstock

The Federal Trade Commission plans to file for an injunction to block Microsoft’s proposed $68.7 billion acquisition of video game publisher Activision Blizzard before the deal’s July 18 deadline. 

“We welcome the opportunity to present our case in federal court,” Microsoft president Brad Smith told CNBC. “We believe accelerating the legal process in the U.S. will ultimately bring more choice and competition to the market.”

The FTC sued last December to block Microsoft’s takeover of Activision after their original agreement was reached in January 2022. Regulators in the U.K. also blocked the deal in April due to concerns of Microsoft controlling too much of the cloud gaming market should they absorb Activision, which publishes video games such as Call of Duty and Overwatch. Microsoft’s appeal of the U.K.’s decision is scheduled for this summer.

Japan has approved the gaming merger, while European Union regulators reportedly plan to let the deal go through. Activision Blizzard recorded positive results in its Q1 2023 earnings report with a net income of $740 million — an 87% increase over the previous year’s first quarter. 

Activision also owns the Call of Duty League and Overwatch League, but the esports entities have struggled financially over the past couple of years. Jacob Wolf reported that Activision Blizzard was owed $400 million in franchise payments across the two leagues.

The Toronto Defiant Overwatch team said earlier this month that the league agreed to waive about $8 million in entry fees the team owed to the league as part of Activision’s efforts to provide financial relief to esports teams in the CDL and OWL.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Callaway’s LIV Deal Shows How Much Golf Has Shifted

The company has signed a first-of-its-kind club contract.
Teammates embrace during matchup in The Hundred cricket league

Google, Microsoft, Adobe CEOs Buy Stakes in Cricket League

The England and Wales Cricket Board raised £520m by selling team stakes.
Jun 13, 2018; Moscow, Russia; A general view of a beer stand inside of Luschniki Stadium one day prior to the start of the FIFA World Cup 2018.

Saudi Arabia Says No Alcohol at 2034 World Cup

Saudi Arabia won’t allow alcohol anywhere during the 2034 World Cup.
U.S. Soccer Federation president Carlos Cordeiro (left) and Sunil Gulati (center) and MLS commissioner Don Garber (right) pose for a photo.

Billionaire Who Chaired NASL Admits He Used Burner Account to Attack MLS,..

Rocco Commisso, the Mediacom founder, compared the MLS commissioner to Harvey Weinstein.

Featured Today

Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark (22) cuts down the net after beating LSU in the Elite 8 round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament between Iowa and LSU at MVP Arena, Monday, April 1, 2024 in Albany, N.Y.
opinion

Reader Mailbag: Leagues Need Must-Watch Moments

Readers responded to NHL success and what it means for other leagues.
Moolah Kicks
March 8, 2025

Breaking the Mold: The Brands Designing Footwear Specifically for Female Athletes

New companies are laser focused on changing the women’s athletic footwear landscape.
WEST PALM BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY, 22: Houston Astros play the Washington Nationals in Spring Training at Cacti Park of the Palm Beaches on February 22, 2025 in West Palm Beach, FL. (
March 6, 2025

Astros Strength Coach Stephanie Grubbs Is Building an ‘Arsenal’ of Skills

The MLB team’s first female coach talks to FOS about her trajectory.
Lia Thomas of University of Pennsylvania competes in the finals of the 200 yard freestyle during the Women s Ivy League Swimming and Diving Championships at Harvard University.
March 2, 2025

One Group Is Funding the NCAA Transgender Ban Lawsuits

ICONS is funding three major lawsuits against schools, conferences, and the NCAA.

FanDuel Retains Sports Betting Crown With $14B in 2024 Revenue

The FanDuel parent company posts big increases in revenue and net income.
DraftKings app
February 14, 2025

Lawsuit Says DraftKings VIP Program ‘Preyed On’ Gambling Addicts

The company’s being sued for negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
February 20, 2025

Americans Bet $148 Billion on Sports in 2024, Up 23.6%

Both overall handle and revenue rose by more than 20% last year.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
August 20, 2024

Beloved ‘Backyard Sports’ Brand Says It Will Relaunch After Decade Hiatus

“Backyard Baseball” was a turn-of-the-century computer hit. 
DraftKings
August 2, 2024

DraftKings Announces Consumer Tax Starting Next Year

The company’s stock fell 5% Friday morning.
July 24, 2024

The Perfect Storm Propelling ‘EA Sports College Football’ to Early Success

Growing fandom and a long wait have already reaped dividends for EA.
July 20, 2024

The Road to the Return of ‘EA Sports College Football’

This summer, the biggest development in college sports is virtual.