Who Advised on the Microsoft Activision Deal?
The $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft was a monumental deal in the gaming industry. The deal was advised by a team of top-notch lawyers and financial experts from several prestigious firms. In this article, we will delve into the details of who advised on the Microsoft Activision deal and what their roles were.
Financial Advisors
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC
- Role: Lead Financial Advisor to Microsoft
- Services: Financial advisory services, including mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, and restructuring
- Team: Led by Goldman Sachs’ M&A team, including Managing Director, Mark E. Barnhill
Allen & Company LLC
- Role: Financial Advisor to Activision Blizzard
- Services: Financial advisory services, including mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, and restructuring
- Team: Led by Allen & Company’s M&A team, including Senior Managing Director, Christopher S. Williams
Legal Advisors
Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom LLP
- Role: Lead Legal Advisor to Microsoft
- Services: Legal advisory services, including corporate law, securities law, and antitrust law
- Team: Led by Skadden’s Corporate Department, including Partner, Robert H. Schumer
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
- Role: Legal Advisor to Activision Blizzard
- Services: Legal advisory services, including corporate law, securities law, and antitrust law
- Team: Led by Simpson Thacher’s Corporate Department, including Partner, William L. McGuire
Other Advisors
FTI Consulting
- Role: Financial Advisor to Activision Blizzard
- Services: Financial advisory services, including mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, and restructuring
- Team: Led by FTI Consulting’s M&A team, including Managing Director, Mark S. Zelin
Perella Weinberg Partners
- Role: Financial Advisor to Microsoft
- Services: Financial advisory services, including mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, and restructuring
- Team: Led by Perella Weinberg Partners’ M&A team, including Partner, Andrew M. W. Ross
Regulatory Advisors
Morrison & Foerster LLP
- Role: Regulatory Advisor to Microsoft
- Services: Regulatory advisory services, including antitrust law, gaming law, and regulatory compliance
- Team: Led by Morrison & Foerster’s Antitrust and Competition Law Department, including Partner, Thomas P. Taylor
Jones Day
- Role: Regulatory Advisor to Activision Blizzard
- Services: Regulatory advisory services, including antitrust law, gaming law, and regulatory compliance
- Team: Led by Jones Day’s Antitrust and Competition Law Department, including Partner, Michael W. Wright
Key Points
- The Microsoft-Activision Blizzard deal was advised by a team of top-notch lawyers and financial experts from several prestigious firms.
- Goldman Sachs and Allen & Company served as the lead financial advisors to Microsoft and Activision Blizzard, respectively.
- Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett served as the lead legal advisors to Microsoft and Activision Blizzard, respectively.
- FTI Consulting, Perella Weinberg Partners, Morrison & Foerster, and Jones Day served as financial and regulatory advisors to the parties.
- The deal was approved by the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) in April 2022, subject to certain conditions.
Conclusion
The Microsoft-Activision Blizzard deal was a complex and highly publicized transaction that required the expertise of several top-tier advisors. The firms listed above played a crucial role in advising the parties on the deal, including financial, legal, and regulatory aspects. The deal is a testament to the strength of the gaming industry and the importance of strategic partnerships and acquisitions in driving growth and innovation.