{
  "id": 6493829,
  "title": "Automattic’s board forces CEO Matt Mullenweg into leave of absence",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/automattics-board-forces-ceo-matt-mullenweg-into-leave-of-absence",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-09T23:14:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "TechCrunch",
    "slug": "techcrunch",
    "url": "https://techcrunch.com/2026/09/09/automattics-board-forces-ceo-matt-mullenweg-into-leave-of-absence/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Automattic's board has forced CEO Matt Mullenweg into a leave of absence against his wishes, according to a Slack message shared by TechCrunch. Mullenweg revealed that CFO Mark Davies allegedly conspired with other board members to vote for the move. Despite the controversy, Mullenweg stated he would continue leading the WordPress project as he remains on the board of directors. Automattic confirmed the news, stating that Davies would take over as interim CEO. The company's board decision triggered layoffs and tension among employees, with some expressing relief while others remain uncertain about the future.",
  "summary": "Matt Mullenweg, the founder and CEO of Automattic, best known as the parent company of WordPress.com, has been put on a leave of absence by his board against his will, according to a Slack message seen by TechCrunch. Earlier Wednesday, Mullenweg posted in a Slack channel visible to all employees that the company’s Chief Financial […]",
  "key_points": [
    "Automattic's board forces CEO Matt Mullenweg into leave of absence.",
    "CFO Mark Davies allegedly conspired with board members for the move.",
    "Mullenweg to continue leading WordPress project despite controversy."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": "https://urgent.news/ill/6493829.png",
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 6,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "404 Media",
        "title": "Automattic CEO Matt Mullenweg Put on 'Leave of Absence'",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/automattic-ceo-matt-mullenweg-put-on-leave-of-absence",
        "published": "2026-09-09T21:21:17.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Verge",
        "title": "Automattic CEO Matt Mullenweg placed on leave",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/automattic-ceo-matt-mullenweg-placed-on-leave",
        "published": "2026-09-09T22:15:52.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Hacker News Best",
        "title": "Automattic's board forces CEO Matt Mullenweg into leave of absence",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/automattics-board-forces-ceo-matt-mullenweg-into-leave-of-absence-6585579",
        "published": "2026-09-09T23:49:29.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "TechRadar",
        "title": "Automattic CEO Matt Mullenweg 'forced' into leave of absence by WordPress parent company board",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/automattic-ceo-matt-mullenweg-forced-into-leave-of-absence-by",
        "published": "2026-09-10T12:05:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Slashdot",
        "title": "Automattic's Board Forces CEO Matt Mullenweg Into Leave of Absence",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/automattics-board-forces-ceo-matt-mullenweg-into-leave-of-absence",
        "published": "2026-09-10T17:00:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}