Asha Sharma says ‘Xbox is not for sale’

Previous rumors claimed Microsoft was exploring a sale of its gaming division.

The sweeping changes and layoffs conducted at Microsoft this year have led some to speculate that Microsoft could be gearing up to spin off the Xbox brand or sell it entirely. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has now directly addressed those rumors, stating that “Xbox is not for sale.”

The quote came from a New York Times interview in which Sharma discussed the latest events at Xbox. “We will do whatever it takes to set the company up for success, and we will look at the right partnerships, the right operating model and everything needed to achieve that,” she added. 

A June 2026 report from The Information alleged that Microsoft leadership was considering a potential sale of Xbox. Over the summer, the company laid off roughly 1,600 employees and announced its plans to lay off an additional 1,600 by the end of its 2027 fiscal year.

Xbox recently laid off an additional 268 employees and consolidated several more of its studios. By its own tally, Xbox still has roughly 1,300 more employees to lay off as it continues its “reset.” Stick with Shacknews for future Xbox updates.

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