I hadn't heard this, but looks like you are right.
Makes me feel a little conflicted having bought one of those SNK bundles a couple years ago on Steam or Humble Bundle or something. Don't love the idea of giving money to someone like that.
Probably why Ronaldo and Salvatore Gannaci were DLC in the new KOF game. There was a pretty audible collective groan from the fighting game community when that was announced.
I hate that we are in the era of Millennial dictators feeling the need to own things that they thought were cool when they were kids. I don't see how owning SNK could be considered a great investment opportunity.
The payoff for MBS was to use SNK's brand recognition to promote the esports World Cup (run by another of his foundations). He even got to buddy up with some celebrities (Christiano Ronaldo and some famous DJ) when he shoehorned real people into that new Fatal Fury game.
I think I'll pass giving them a single cent.