The infamous “big boss” Bobby Kotick has spoken out as the Activision Blizzard acquisition dances on a knife edge…

Bobby Kotick, the boss of troubled video game publisher Activision Blizzard, told Variety that the organisation has never had a “systemic problem with harassment”. Despite being targeted by the state of California for its alleged “macho” culture. The allegations have led to several sexual harassment lawsuits against the company.

Ironically, according to a new report published hours after the interview, 114 complaints of harassment, discrimination or retaliation were received from employees in the past year alone.

“We’ve had every possible form of investigation done,” Kotick said. “And we did not have a systemic issue with harassment – ever. We didn’t have any of what were mischaracterisations reported in the media. But what we did have was a very aggressive labour movement working hard to try and destabilise the company.” Kotick went on to blame “outside forces” for his company’s bad reputation. “I wouldn’t be sitting here talking to you if any of what you read in the inflammatory narrative was truthful.”

The CEO claimed that he was not anti-union: “I am not like other CEOs that are anti-union. I’m the only Fortune 500 CEO who’s a member of a union. If we have employees who want a union to represent them, and they believe that that union is going to be able to provide them with opportunities and enhancements to their work experience, I’m all for it. I have a mother who was a teacher. I have no aversion to a union. What I do have an aversion to is a union that doesn’t play by the rules.”

Kotick also addressed personal criticism of him, saying there were anti-Semitic overtones. “The hatred has turned into a lot of antisemitism. When you look at images of me on the Internet, there are these antisemitic undertones. My kids have gotten death threats.”

Of course, the former Moneyball star may not be at Activision Blizzard much longer. Assuming Microsoft’s outrageous $69 billion takeover deal is cleared up. He said the Redmond company was “the best place for us”, adding, “I like the company. I like the culture. I’m really scared about the economy – compensation for talent has been ratcheting up in ways that are complex for us to deal with. So this deal made a lot of sense.”

At the same time, perhaps forestalling the possibility of the deal falling through, he insisted that the organisation would be fine without the Xbox maker. “We have a great company. We have an enormous amount of momentum, and we have an extraordinary balance sheet. And we can continue to be successful alone like we have been for the last 30 years. But it’ll be great if the deal goes through because I think it’s the right thing for our industry.”

Source: Variety