Sure, but Automattic also bought Texts.com... this seems to be part of a bigger strategy on their part.
Even friends don't spend $150M on friends for no reason. Automattic is doing well, but they don't have $150M to drop (plus future salaries, hosting, etc) just to help someone save face.
> Matt, Automattic’s CEO, and I have known each other for years
Could it perhaps be a favor for a friend to give a plausible reason for ejecting from the business without admitting failure?