Microsoft’s Gaming Chief Says Xbox Is Not for Sale

Xbox CEO Asha Sharma said Xbox is not for sale, rejecting reports that Microsoft was considering selling or spinning off its gaming business. She made the statement in an interview with The New York Times.

The Information reported in June that Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and CFO Amy Hood had considered spinning out Xbox. Earlier this month, it reported that both executives had more recently supported Sharma’s plans to overhaul the division.

Sharma said Microsoft would consider partnerships and changes to its operating model to put the company on a path to success. She announced a restructuring in June, describing it as a reset for the division. Microsoft plans to lay off up to 3,200 Xbox employees during its 2027 financial year, which ends in June.

Nadella recently backed the restructuring and layoffs on the Sources podcast, saying the team was streamlining and that Microsoft needed a sustainable business model to bring gaming to more people.

The changes have moved Halo, Sea of Thieves and Age of Empires under Activision, alongside a broader shake-up of Xbox Game Studios. The Verge says the restructuring could eventually lead to Xbox becoming a wholly owned subsidiary, as LinkedIn is, while Microsoft focuses on larger franchises and reduces management layers. It says the current plan appears aimed at restoring growth, though a future sale is not ruled out. Sharma said Microsoft would take a long-term view.