Automattic CEO Matt Mullenweg said his decision to reduce his team’s weekly hours working on WordPress by 99% , from 4,000 hours to 45 hours, was designed to pressure WP Engine to drop its lawsuit against Mullenweg and Automattic
“They don’t actually make WordPress. They just resell it,” Mullenweg told Computerworld Friday evening. “If what they are reselling is no longer getting all of the free updates, they have less stuff to sell.”
“It doesn’t make sense for Automattic to pay people to work on all of these things,” he said. “We are under attack and we are circling the wagons. Our number one goal is for WP Engine to drop their expensive lawsuits against me and Automattic.”
I feel like they’re feeling the crunch and this is just a sugar coated facade to cover up mass layoffs and financial pressure. Definitely a “look what you made me do!” Energy that gives off “hedging bets” because we’re likely losing vibes.
No doubt about it.
The original drama started off on shakey ground like it was about using the WordPress branding and WPEngine not contributing.
Which, okay I can see his perspective even if I disagree.
But then his not one, but TWO “If you hate my direction, then quit”. Then not one, but TWO “Well we might not return to contribute” threats.
Sounds like his for-profit company is slowly sinking and he’s looking for something to blame that isn’t him.