FTC Disagreement May Lead to Approval of Microsoft and Activision Blizzard Deal

Regarding the approval of the deal between Microsoft and Activision Blizzard in the United States by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), different information appears. The other day it was reported that the FTC is preparing to go to court to block the deal. While The New York Post, citing its sources, today reported other information.

According to The New York Post, the FTC was at odds over the deal between Microsoft and Activision Blizzard. According to a media source who is said to be “close to the situation,” at least one Democrat in the FTC’s four-member group favored the merger (the group consists of a total of 3 Democrats and 1 Republican). The merger is currently favored by Republican Christine Wilson and Democrat Rebecca Slaughter. While two other FTC members want to block the deal: Lina Khan and Alvaro Bedoya.

It is Lina Khan who is the chairman, who, according to The New York Post, does not want to lose ground on this deal. However, if there is a vote that results in a controversial 2-2 decision, it could call into question Khan’s authority over the agency. To maintain his own status, Khan may go for approval of the deal, suggesting that Microsoft approve a settlement agreement with certain conditions to avoid a potentially negative vote for Khan’s position, sources say.

FTC officials are expected to make recommendations on the Microsoft deal by mid-December. Microsoft could then meet with individual commissioners to discuss their position ahead of a final vote that could take place later this month.