Electronic Arts (EA), one of the world’s largest video game publishers, is reportedly nearing a historic acquisition led by an investment consortium headed by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) and U.S.-based Silver Lake Management. The move aims to take EA private in a deal valued at nearly $50 billion.
Details of the EA Acquisition Deal
According to a report by Reuters, Affinity Partners, the investment firm founded by Jared Kushner, son-in-law of former U.S. president Donald Trump, is also expected to join the agreement. The official announcement of the EA acquisition could arrive as early as next week, making it one of the largest leveraged buyouts in history.
This development comes amid a global slowdown in the gaming industry, driven by declining consumer spending. EA continues to rely on its strong franchises, including the Battlefield series and the EA Sports FC football titles, to maintain stable revenue streams. The company is also banking on upcoming releases such as Battlefield 6 to boost performance.
The Saudi Public Investment Fund already owns around 9% of EA’s shares, a stake it has held for about a year, making it one of the publisher’s most significant investors.
The news of the acquisition immediately boosted EA’s stock, which jumped by more than 15% after the reports surfaced, following nearly a month of stability. This surge pushed the company’s market value close to $43 billion, supported by strong sales of iconic franchises such as Madden NFL, The Sims, Battlefield, and EA Sports FC.
Founded in the 1980s, Electronic Arts went public on the Nasdaq in 1990, reaching a market value of around $1.61 billion by 1996. Today, it has grown into one of the cornerstones of the global video game industry.
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