Former Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick Files Defamation Suit Against Media Outlets Over Discrimination Comments
Bobby Kotick, the former CEO of Activision Blizzard, has filed a defamation lawsuit against G/O Media, specifically targeting its subsidiaries Kotaku and Gizmodo... and no, the irony of this suit going after the very same outlet that employed a 'journalist' suing me for similar allegations isn't lost on me. This suit, however, was filed in the Superior Court of Delaware, and specifically alleges that both outlets deliberately misrepresented Kotick by referencing withdrawn allegations of discrimination and workplace harassment in their coverage of his rumored interest in acquiring TikTok. Can you believe that? Kotaku pushing misinformation after it was already confirmed to be fake news?
Anyway, Kotick contends that these articles were penned with the "malicious purpose of causing further harm" to his reputation, despite these very allegations that had already been dismissed.
This situation reminds me of that one with Deadspin, where they lost their bid to toss a defamation suit out over article accusing young Chiefs fan of racism... and how THAT lawsuit ultimately ended their outlet entirely. Oh and fun fact, guess who owned Deadspin? Yup... The same parent that owns Kotaku AND Gizmodo.
...Are we sensing a trend with this organization's "Integrity" yet?
The Basis of the Lawsuit
According to details published by Courthouse News Service on March 13, Kotick’s complaint claims that the disputed articles had absolutely nothing to do with Activision Blizzard. Instead, they were just reports about speculation that Kotick was part of a group looking to purchase TikTok in the United States. Despite the topic at hand, Kotaku and Gizmodo "allegedly" went out of their way to reference the withdrawn discrimination allegations, which Kotick claims were “conclusively disproven by numerous investigations.”
According to the claim, none of that stopped Kotaku and Gizmodo from pushing forward their agenda to spew more hate against Kotick anyway.
Kotick asserts that these references were entirely unnecessary and defamatory, and that G/O Media knowingly propagated falsehoods further. The lawsuit points out that, despite multiple requests from Kotick and his representatives to correct the record, Kotaku and Gizmodo only made partial amendments.
While Gizmodo removed the word "disgraced" from its original headline (still on X as of time of this writing)... and both outlets later (eventually) updated their articles with details of the case’s resolution, Kotick argues that the articles continue to "mischaracterize" the situation, regardless.
While I hate that Kotaku's putting me in a position to defend Kotick here, I gotta be honest, seeing how the outlet and employees have treated me over the years, I can't help but relate to his frustrations...
Background: Activision Blizzard’s Legal Troubles and Settlement
Activision Blizzard came under intense scrutiny back in 2021 when the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) launched an investigation into potential workplace sexual harassment and discrimination.
This led to multiple legal actions, including a lawsuit filed by the CRD. However, in December 2023, Activision Blizzard and the CRD reached a settlement of $54 million, with the agreement explicitly stating that:
“no court or any independent investigation has substantiated any allegations” (of systemic sexual harassment), (nor that the company’s senior executives) ignored, condoned, or tolerated” (such behavior).
Despite this legal conclusion that out a cap on the situation, Kotick now alleges that G/O Media intentionally omitted key facts, opting then instead to repeat discredited claims in an effort to further damage his reputation.
It almost feels like many of these outlets felt invincible, and used the power of 'press' as a shield from any scrutiny.
Kotick’s Response to Activision Blizzard’s Past Controversies
Just a month before filing this lawsuit, Kotick addressed Activision Blizzard’s legal battles on a podcast hosted by venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins. In it, he dismissed the multiple lawsuits against the company as “fake lawsuits” ...and went as far as to claim that a 2021 employee petition demanding his resignation, which amassed over 1,800 signatures, was also "fake."
Kotick suggested that the Communications Workers of America (CWA) union was behind much of the legal trouble faced by Activision Blizzard - among others like Tesla and Space X. He accused the union of orchestrating a coordinated smear campaign against the company by enlisting the government to file lawsuits as part of a broader effort to push for unionization. The CWA of course, denied these claims in a statement to gaming news outlet Rock Paper Shotgun, and made sure to go the extra step and remind the public that Kotick himself had previously apologized for workplace misconduct under his leadership following the $18 million settlement with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC):
"In 2021, Activision agreed to an $18 million dollar settlement with the EEOC following a lawsuit that Activision had sexually harassed and discriminated against its workforce. Bobby Kotick himself apologized in his own press release for the inappropriate conduct that happened under his watch."
The Fallout and Industry Reactions
Following Kotick’s podcast comments, the ABK Workers Alliance—a union composed of Activision Blizzard employees—publicly refuted his assertions on social media. The union stated on X:
“The trauma, discrimination, and abuse that our coworkers and former coworkers endured is not fake or a ‘plan to drive union membership.’ Our unions were born from the very real and harmful way executives reacted when made aware of these situations.”
They went on to further criticize Kotick for attempting to shift the narrative, arguing that his stance exemplifies how corporations often try to paint unions as external adversaries rather than recognizing that they are composed of employees seeking workplace improvements.
Legal Battle Ahead
With the lawsuit now having been officially filed, Kotick is seeking damages to be determined at trial. If successful, this case could set a precedent regarding media accountability, particularly in cases where past allegations—regardless of their resolution—are continuously resurfaced in unrelated reporting.
The outcome could also impact the way gaming journalism and tech media handle sensitive legal issues tied to high-profile industry figures. Meanwhile, at this time - representatives from both Kotick and G/O Media have remained largely silent, with no official comments released as of yet.
Whether this lawsuit here from Kotick will lead to a broader reckoning for media accountability ...remains to be seen.
~Smash
