Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks Takes Direct Oversight of Wizards of the Coast Following John Hight’s Exit

Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks is stepping back into the day-to-day orbit of Wizards of the Coast, assuming direct oversight of the company’s gaming division following the departure of WotC president John Hight.

With Hasbro yet to name a permanent successor — or an interim replacement — for Hight, Wizards’ leadership team will report directly to Cocks during the transition. The arrangement puts two of Hasbro’s most valuable entertainment properties, Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons, under the direct supervision of the toy and entertainment giant’s chief executive.

For Cocks, the move represents a return to familiar territory. He previously served as president of Wizards of the Coast from 2016 to 2022 before taking over as Hasbro CEO. During his tenure at Wizards, Cocks oversaw a period of significant growth for the business, including the expansion of Magic: The Gathering into digital gaming through Magic: The Gathering Arena.

His return to a more direct role comes as Wizards continues to navigate an increasingly competitive entertainment landscape, where tabletop gaming, digital platforms and major intellectual properties increasingly overlap.

Cocks’ track record with Wizards, however, has made his renewed involvement a closely watched development among fans. His tenure has included several decisions that generated controversy within tabletop communities, particularly around monetization, changes proposed for Dungeons & Dragons’ Open Gaming License and Hasbro’s push to incorporate outside entertainment franchises through its “Universes Beyond” initiative.

The latter strategy has become an increasingly prominent part of Magic’s business, bringing properties from outside the traditional fantasy and gaming space into the collectible card game. While the crossovers have helped expand the franchise’s mainstream reach, they have also fueled debate among longtime players over the direction and identity of the brand.

For Wizards, the immediate question is whether Cocks’ return signals a broader strategic shift — or simply provides stability while Hasbro searches for its next president.