{"id":521149,"date":"2022-12-04T22:21:10","date_gmt":"2022-12-04T19:21:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/rift-at-ftc-stirs-hope-for-microsofts-69b-activision-merger\/"},"modified":"2022-12-04T22:21:10","modified_gmt":"2022-12-04T19:21:10","slug":"rift-at-ftc-stirs-hope-for-microsofts-69b-activision-merger","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/rift-at-ftc-stirs-hope-for-microsofts-69b-activision-merger\/","title":{"rendered":"#Rift at FTC stirs hope for Microsoft&#8217;s $69B Activision merger"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a32df604fa01\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a32df604fa01\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/rift-at-ftc-stirs-hope-for-microsofts-69b-activision-merger\/#%E2%80%9CRift_at_FTC_stirs_hope_for_Microsofts_69B_Activision_merger%E2%80%9D\" >&#8220;Rift at FTC stirs hope for Microsoft&#8217;s $69B Activision merger&#8221;<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h1><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%E2%80%9CRift_at_FTC_stirs_hope_for_Microsofts_69B_Activision_merger%E2%80%9D\"><\/span>&#8220;Rift at FTC stirs hope for Microsoft&#8217;s $69B Activision merger&#8221;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n<div>\n<aside class=\"single__inline-module alignleft\">\n        <\/aside>\n<p>A rift has emerged at the Federal Trade Commission over Microsoft\u2019s $69 billion deal to acquire Activision \u2014 potentially paving the way for the controversial mega-merger to get <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/download-scripts-themes-apps\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Download Scripts &amp; Themes &amp; Apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">app<\/a>roved, The Post has learned.<\/p>\n<p>At least one Democrat on the four-member panel has recently taken a sympathetic view of the merger, according to a source close to the situation. That, in turn, could create a difficult path for FTC Chair Lina Khan \u2014 who according to insiders has eyed Microsoft\u2019s deal as a major target as she looks to burnish her credentials as a trustbuster of Big Tech.<\/p>\n<p>Sources said Khan \u2014 who said publicly in June the agency was <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-06-16\/ftc-scrutinizing-labor-impact-of-microsoft-activision-merger\">scrutinizing the deal\u2019s impact on workers<\/a> \u2014 was in recent weeks still pushing to sue to block the merger, which would pair Microsoft\u2019s Xbox with hit Activision <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/game\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"7\" title=\"Game\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">game<\/a>s like \u201cCall of Duty\u201d and \u201cCandy Crush.\u201d Late last month, Politico reported that an FTC lawsuit against the deal was \u201clikely,\u201d noting that the agency\u2019s staff are \u201cskeptical of the companies\u2019 arguments.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The FTC\u2019s sole Republican commissioner, Christine Wilson, has signaled support of the deal. But sources say at least one of the four-member panel\u2019s three Democratic commissioners \u2014 which in addition to Khan include Rebecca Slaughter and Alvaro Bedoya \u2014 also has recently appeared to lean toward the Microsoft camp, according to a source close to the situation.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/12\/ftc-microsoft-02.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"FTC Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter sitting at a Congressi\" class=\"wp-image-24863118\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/12\/ftc-microsoft-02.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1535 1536w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/12\/ftc-microsoft-02.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all 1024w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/12\/ftc-microsoft-02.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=512 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><figcaption>FTC Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter was Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer\u2019s counsel and Schumer has been meeting recently with Microsoft.<\/figcaption><figcaption><span class=\"credit\">Bloomberg via Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cSome of the Democrats might be more comfortable with a settlement,\u201d approving the deal with concessions from the companies instead of trying to block it altogether, an FTC insider told The Post.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"single__inline-module alignright\">\n    <\/aside>\n<p>While the identity of the dissenting Democrat couldn\u2019t im<a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/social-mediaa\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"1\" title=\"Social Media\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">media<\/a>tely be confirmed, DC sources following the situation pointed to Slaughter, who was acting FTC Chair until last year, when President Joe Biden installed 33-year-old Khan at the helm of the powerful regulatory agency. <\/p>\n<p>A Democratic defection would leave Khan with a 2-2 tie in any vote to clamp down on the merger \u2014 a result that would not only effectively OK the deal but also throw Khan\u2019s authority over the agency into question. That, accordingly, is a vote that Khan isn\u2019t likely to risk, according to DC insiders.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cLina would probably not put things in a position for that to take place, so instead of having that vote she would make the motion to approve the settlement,\u201d said William Kovacic, a former FTC Chairman. \u201cThe way out is to say, \u2018We got a great deal and only got it because we\u2019ve been badasses.&#8217;\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Microsoft has a history of courting Democrats. In the 2020 election cycle, Microsoft donated $13.8 million to Democrats and only $1.72 million to Republicans. In 2022, it gave $4.1 million to Dems and $1 million to Republicans, according to Open Secrets.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/12\/ftc-microsoft-01-1.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"Rebecca Slaughter on a monitor with her young child.\" class=\"wp-image-24865909\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/12\/ftc-microsoft-01-1.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1535 1536w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/12\/ftc-microsoft-01-1.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all 1024w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/12\/ftc-microsoft-01-1.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=512 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><figcaption>Politicos will likely be calling commissioners like mother Rebecca Slaughter pressuring them to support the merger. <\/figcaption><figcaption><span class=\"credit\">AP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer in July reportedly went to Washington state to meet Microsoft President Brad Smith and discuss, among other things, the pending Activision merger and its potential impact on New York. They also reportedly met in February.<\/p>\n<p>Insiders note that Slaughter was Schumer\u2019s chief counsel from June 2014 to May 2018 before leaving to become an FTC Commissioner.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"single__inline-module alignleft\">\n    <\/aside>\n<p>\u201cThis is when Schumer calls his old protege and says, \u2018What\u2019s up?\u201d according to Kovacic.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, reports surfaced in recent days that Microsoft has signaled it\u2019s willing to make significant concessions to get the deal done. Last week, Reuters reported that Microsoft was <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/markets\/deals\/microsoft-likely-offer-eu-concessions-soon-activision-deal-sources-2022-11-28\/\">likely to offer a 10-year licensing deal<\/a> for its blockbuster \u201cCall of Duty\u201d franchise to Playstation owner Sony, citing unnamed sources.<\/p>\n<p>As reported by The Post early last month, Microsoft\u2019s stubborn refusal to offer concrete concessions to regulators and rivals in exchange for winning the deal has been a major sticking point. If Microsoft is finally showing a willingness to budge, that weakens any case by the FTC to block the merger \u2014 and emboldens dissenters, according to experts.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhat makes it difficult is when Microsoft goes to their friends in blue and says, \u2018We have provided a package of solutions for all the perceived problems, and the folks at the FTC are being very unreasonable if they don\u2019t take it,&#8217;\u201d Kovacic said.<\/p>\n<p>If Microsoft does indeed offer a significant remedy, President Biden would likely want the deal cleared and ask someone such as his antitrust advisor Tim Wu to push Khan to accept the proposal, the ex-FTC chairman said. The pitch would be that Microsoft can be trusted to keep its promises because of its past history of responsible behavior, sources said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt does become hard to say, \u2018This is not good enough,&#8217;\u201d said Kovacic, who now puts the chances of the merger getting approved at 70%. \u201cIt becomes more difficult for the Commission to push this aside.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Doubts about the deal on Wall Street persist. While Microsoft has agreed to pay Activision $95 a share in cash, the target\u2019s stock closed on Friday at $75.76. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/12\/microsoft-2.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"An iphone with the Microsoft logo.\" class=\"wp-image-24865045\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/12\/microsoft-2.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1535 1536w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/12\/microsoft-2.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all 1024w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/12\/microsoft-2.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=512 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><figcaption>Microsoft is considered the tech company most friendly to Democrats.<\/figcaption><figcaption><span class=\"credit\">SOPA Images\/LightRocket via Gett<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>FTC staff is expected to make a recommendation on the Microsoft deal by mid-December. Microsoft can then meet with individual commissioners to press its case before the final vote, which could happen later this month, according to sources close to the agency.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAs we have said before, we are prepared to address the concerns of regulators, including the FTC, and Sony to ensure the deal closes with confidence,\u201d a Microsoft spokesman said in a statement. \u201cWe\u2019ll still trail Sony and Tencent in the market after the deal closes, and together Activision and Xbox will benefit gamers and developers and make the industry more competitive.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>An FTC spokesperson didn\u2019t respond to requests for comment.<\/p>\n<p>The Communications Workers of America wrote in a June 30 letter that it supported the deal and has been lobbying Congress, an FTC insider noted. CWA said it believes the merger would give Activision Blizzard workers a clear path to collective bargaining and unionization. That\u2019s a message that lawmakers, in turn, may be inclined to pass to the FTC, sources said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAll the Commissioners are attuned to the Hill,\u201d one DC insider told The Post.\n                        <\/p><\/div>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMLG0nwswvr63Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">For forums sites go to <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/forum.buradabiliyorum.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Forum.BuradaBiliyorum.Com<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/news\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"2\" title=\"News\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">News<\/a> articles, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/news\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">News category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2022\/12\/04\/rift-at-ftc-stirs-hope-for-microsofts-69b-activision-merger\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;Rift at FTC stirs hope for Microsoft&#8217;s $69B Activision merger&#8221; A rift has emerged at the Federal Trade Commission over Microsoft\u2019s $69 billion deal to acquire Activision \u2014 potentially paving the way for the controversial mega-merger to get approved, The Post has learned. At least one Democrat on the four-member panel has recently taken a&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":521150,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/12\/microsoft-merger-1.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1024","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[70897],"tags":[136693,5037,71313,74382,70584,70286],"class_list":["post-521149","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-12-4-22","tag-activision-blizzard","tag-chuck-schumer","tag-federal-trade-commission","tag-mergers-acquisitions","tag-microsoft"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/521149","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=521149"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/521149\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/521150"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=521149"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=521149"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=521149"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}