‘Xbox is not for sale,’ CEO Asha Sharma says
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has reiterated that Microsoft’s gaming division is not for sale, dismissing ongoing speculation about a potential divestiture. In an interview with the New York Times, Sharma stated the company will explore “the right partnerships, the right operating model, and everything needed” to ensure Xbox’s success.
The denial comes amid significant organizational turbulence within the division. Xbox has conducted multiple rounds of layoffs this financial year, including a recent cut of 268 staff members. Alongside the workforce reductions, the company has restructured its studio portfolio, consolidating formerly independent studios under a smaller number of leadership arms rather than maintaining their previous autonomy. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has characterized these changes as part of the division’s “streamlining.”
Previously, a June report from The Information indicated that while Microsoft had no immediate plans to spin off Xbox, the company had “not ruled out” various restructuring options—including converting it into a wholly-owned subsidiary or establishing joint ventures with external partners. These structural possibilities fueled market speculation about a potential sale. Sharma’s latest comments appear designed to quell such rumors, though the significant organizational changes suggest Microsoft is pursuing a fundamental shift in how Xbox operates within its broader corporate structure.