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Ballmer To Retire

Today Microsoft announced that CEO Steve Ballmer will be retiring within the next 12 months. He said, "There is never a perfect time for this type of transition, but now is the right time. ... My original thoughts on timing would have had my retirement happen in the middle of our company’s transformation to a devices and services company. We need a CEO who will be here longer term for this new direction." Ballmer, 57, has been Microsoft's CEO since taking over the role from Bill Gates in January, 2000. The company's board of directors has formed a committee to find a replacement for Ballmer, and he will continue his duties until a new CEO is found. Questions about Ballmer's fitness to remain CEO have been circulating for the past several years, particularly after the company struggled to get a foothold in the mobile market. It will be interesting to see how this affects Microsoft's stock price. Upon retirement, Ballmer will be able to cash out hundreds of millions of dollars worth of Microsoft stock.

11 of 633 comments (clear)

  1. In the next 12 months... by ackthpt · · Score: 5, Funny

    He can't even retire properly, should have done so years ago.

    Chairs just won't fly around the same without him

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    A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
    1. Re:In the next 12 months... by Stuarticus · · Score: 5, Funny

      I hear that Dell are organising a 21 chair salute.

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      If you think someone isn't free to have a different definition of "freedom" you may be a tyrant.
    2. Re:In the next 12 months... by NeoTron · · Score: 5, Funny

      The next guy will throw developers at chairs.

    3. Re:In the next 12 months... by OakDragon · · Score: 5, Funny

      He needs 12 months because his retirement is behind schedule. And of course, just days after his retirement, he will have to download all the new retirement patches and Retirement Service Pack 2.0.

  2. Good news for stockholders by neurovish · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...in response, Microsoft's stock jumps up 10%

    1. Re:Good news for stockholders by olsmeister · · Score: 5, Funny

      Which mean Ballmer made about a billion dollars. Joke's on us.

  3. CNN breaking news headline by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Microsoft says CEO Steve Ballmer will retire within 12 months. No successor named. Stock surges."

    Captcha: finally

  4. Nobel Prize as CEO by gmuslera · · Score: 5, Funny

    I mean, his successor is the one that will get one, whoever he is just for not being Ballmer.

  5. Re:Disagree by Alsee · · Score: 5, Funny

    Even half a Jobs would turn Microsoft around from the stagnating business it has become.

    In this economy, good luck finding even a part-time-Jobs.

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  6. Re:Disagree by tehlinux · · Score: 5, Funny

    Dude, the zune was awesome and I'd say the same thing about my surfce rt.

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  7. Re:Disagree by Shark · · Score: 5, Funny

    Who knows? He might even get ousted after a huge sex scandal that shades what you listed. Think about it.

    Why would you bring something like that up? Now I pictured him humping a secretary grunting "Developper Developper Developper!" and my brain bluescreened.

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    Mind the frickin' laser...