Electronic Arts is officially being bought out by a collection of private-equity firms. Late last week, rumors spread that the mega-publisher behind Battlefront, Madden, and The Sims was eyeing a potentially industry-altering deal that would take it private for nearly $50 billion.
Now these rumors of an EA buyout have been confirmed by the Associated Press, which reports that Silver Lake Partners, Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund PIF, and Affinity Partners, which is run by President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, are looking to pay EA’s stockholders $210 per share for the publisher.
This will result in EA going private for $52.5 billion in what could be the largest-ever buyout funded by private-equity firms.
EA To Be Acquired For $52.5 billion
Buyers Include Saudi Arabia And Jared Kushner’s Investment Firm
Even before this deal, Saudi Arabia’s PIF was already the largest insider stakeholder in EA, owning 9.9% stake in the company as of this writing. The Saudi Arabian PIF has been increasing its investment in video game companies since 2022 through its gaming division, Savvy Gaming Group. Major companies like Nintendo and SNK have been part of this apparent initiative.
Meanwhile, this is the second high-profile deal Silver Lake has made with the owners of a major tech company over the past month or so, as the firm was recently part of the joint venture to take over US oversight of TikTok.
Jared Kushner, who is CEO of Affinity Partners, commented on the impending EA deal shortly after it was announced. He describes EA as “an extraordinary company with a world-class management team and a bold vision for the future” and says that he couldn’t be more excited for what is to come from his company’s newly formed partnership with the publisher.
It’s Unclear How This Deal Will Impact EA’s Future
EA CEO Andrew Wilson Will Remain
It isn’t clear how this buyout will affect the future of EA’s games at this time, though CEO Andrew Wilson will remain in his current position. EA headquarters will also stay in Redwood City, California. EA has been a publicly traded company for 36 years.
For the past few years, EA’s revenues have remained largely stagnant, and the company was hit with major layoffs in early 2024. More cutbacks and corporate reshufflings could come in the wake of EA going private, but nothing is set in stone as of this writing.
The deal between Electronic Arts and its potential buyers is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2027, pending approval by EA stockholders.
- Date Founded
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May 27, 1982
- CEO
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Andrew Wilson
- Services
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EA Play
EA is a well-known video game company that was founded in May 1982. EA is the company behind several successful game franchises such as The Sims, Battlefield, Dead Space, Star Wars Jedi, and Apex Legends. The company has faced many criticisms over the years for over-relying on microtransactions in their titles.