Automattic Board Forces CEO Matt Mullenweg into Leave of Absence
WordPress founder ousted by board in surprise leadership shakeup.
1Sudden Leadership Change
Automattic's board unexpectedly placed CEO Matt Mullenweg on paid leave against his will on September 9, 2026. The decision came through a board vote including CFO Mark Davies and directors Ann Dunwoody, Toni Schneider, and Sue Decker. Mullenweg revealed the move in a Slack message to employees, stating he received the resolution just 50 minutes before the meeting and was denied time for legal review. Davies was appointed interim CEO immediately, while Mullenweg remains on the company's board of directors.
2Automattic's Key Assets
The company owns WordPress.com, Tumblr, WooCommerce, and Pocket Casts, with WordPress powering 43% of all websites. Mullenweg co-created WordPress in 2003 and founded Automattic as its commercial arm. The open-source WordPress.org project, which Mullenweg still leads, remains unaffected by his Automattic status change. Executive Director Mary Hubbard confirmed WordPress.org's operations continue unchanged, highlighting the separation between the nonprofit project and commercial entity.
3Ongoing Legal Battles
Automattic has been engaged in a bitter lawsuit with WP Engine since October 2024 over WordPress trademark usage. Mullenweg accused WP Engine of profiting from WordPress without contributing back, demanding 8% royalty fees. WP Engine countersued for defamation and abuse of power, claiming Automattic targeted competitors with royalty claims. The legal battle intensified in February 2026 when WP Engine alleged Automattic planned to pursue 10 more competitors.
4Previous Controversies
Mullenweg's leadership faced multiple challenges, including a 2024 incident where 159 employees took severance after he invited dissenters to quit. In 2025, he threatened to deactivate WordPress.org accounts of members planning a fork. Automattic laid off 16% of staff in April 2025, including long-tenured employees. These events created internal tensions, with some current employees reportedly 'ecstatic' about Mullenweg's leave while others worry about instability.
5Board's Mysterious Timing
The board hasn't disclosed reasons for the timing, though sources speculate it may relate to Mullenweg's recent return from Burning Man (ending September 7). Historically, he returned from the festival with new ideas that sometimes caused friction. The move follows years of growing tensions between Mullenweg and the board over company direction and legal strategy, culminating in this dramatic intervention.
6Industry Impact
As WordPress powers nearly half the web, leadership changes at Automattic could affect millions of websites and developers. The open-source community watches closely, though WordPress.org remains independent. Competitors like WP Engine may see an opportunity as Automattic navigates this transition. The tech industry rarely sees such public board-CEO conflicts at major open-source adjacent companies.
7Employee Reactions
Sources describe mixed emotions among Automattic's 1,900+ employees. Some expressed relief given recent turbulence, while others worry about strategic continuity. Alumni have reportedly reached out to current staff gauging reactions. The leadership change comes just weeks before Automattic's annual all-hands meeting, adding uncertainty to company planning. Davies faces immediate challenges uniting the team and maintaining product roadmaps.
8Leadership Crossroads
This marks a pivotal moment for Automattic after 23 years under Mullenweg's vision. The board's unprecedented move suggests deep concerns about current leadership's sustainability. Whether temporary or permanent, the leave creates uncertainty for Automattic's future direction, especially regarding ongoing legal battles and open-source relations. The tech world watches to see if this intervention stabilizes or further disrupts the WordPress ecosystem.
Original article: TechCrunch — Automattic Board Forces CEO Matt Mullenweg into Leave of Absence