GoKawiilAutomattic executives signed each other's $8.15M severance deals during Mullenweg's brief ouster
During a 33-hour period when Matt Mullenweg was placed on leave by Automattic's board, interim CEO Mark Davies and Chief Legal Officer Andy Missan each approved the other's exit agreement. The deals grant both executives a year of salary, accelerated equity vesting, stock option exercise rights, and extended health coverage, totaling roughly $8.15 million combined. Mullenweg fired both men upon reclaiming his role, and Automattic is now weighing whether to honor or legally contest the payouts.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The episode reveals how quickly executives moved to lock in personal financial protections amid boardroom chaos, raising questions about self-dealing when officials sign off on each other's compensation. It also sets up a costly legal fight for Automattic, which has already replaced outside counsel and seen its general counsel depart, signaling deeper turmoil beyond the CEO drama itself.
- Davies and Missan signed reciprocal severance deals worth $8.15M combined during Mullenweg's 33-hour ouster.
- Mullenweg fired both executives upon returning, and Automattic is deciding whether to pay or legally challenge the agreements.
- The company has swapped legal counsel and lost its general counsel, suggesting continued fallout from the leadership dispute.
Source: techcrunch.com — Sarah Perez, 2026-09-16
Published there as: “Automattic’s interim CEO and legal chief signed reciprocal severance deals during Mullenweg’s brief ouster”
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