Mattel Interactive controversies

The Learning Company acquisition and subsequent divestiture

Mattel's acquisition of The Learning Company for approximately $4.2 billion became a major corporate controversy after the combined business underperformed and was sold to Gores Technology Group in 2000 at a loss. Public estimates have placed Mattel's total losses connected with the acquisition as high as $3.6 billion. Business publications subsequently cited the transaction as an example of one of the worst corporate acquisitions, although the supplied reference does not establish a single definitive accounting of the losses.