Hasbro was just named one of America’s Most JUST Companies by JUST Capital and its media partner CNBC. This accolade could not have come at a worse time, as Hasbro is currently under fire by both the Dungeons and Dragons and Magic: The Gathering communities.
According to JUST Capital, this award is given based on their performance towards workers, communities, customers, shareholders, and the environment. According to the data it collected, Hasbro ranked first place in the Household & Leisure Goods industry, and in the top 115 businesses out of nearly 1,000 it examined. Hasbro in particular was “noted as a strong performer in ethical leadership and accountability to stakeholders,” and was lauded for “prioritizing advancements in worker health and safety, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) efforts.”
These accolades could not come at a more awkward time, however. Wizards of the Coast, a subsidiary of Hasbro, is embroiled in no small amount of controversy. A recent update to Dungeons and Dragons’ Open Game License has leaked online, full of new restrictions, requirements, and powers that allow Wizards of the Coast full creative control over third-party publication. The Dungeons and Dragons community is not happy with the long-running tabletop roleplaying game publisher, with tags like “OpenDnD” and “OGL” trending for multiple weeks on social media.
At the same time, Wizards of the Coast has also been criticized for its recent activity with Magic: The Gathering as well. Over the years, Magic: The Gathering has seen more and more products released with increasing frequency and rising costs that players simply can’t keep up with. Bank of America analysts tore into Hasbro for its overly-aggressive business model for Magic: The Gathering, downgrading its status to “underperform” in the process.
The controversies between Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons and Dragons have caused Hasbro stock to drop 35% since the beginning of 2022. Though the toy and entertainment company has been able to stabilize its stock prices recently, Wizards of the Coast has yet to respond to the leaked OGL situation. Depending on how the controversy is resolved, Hasbro could see the value of its stock drop even further.
Considering many of these controversies likely stem from Hasbro’s involvement, fans can’t help but notice the irony of the company receiving this award with one hand while it suppresses its communities with the other. Hasbro patting itself on the back has enraged Dungeons and Dragons players even more than they were. Hasbro is entering its centennial anniversary year with some unpopular behaviors, and it doesn’t seem like it is going to change them any time soon.