Electronic Arts (EA), the renowned video game publisher behind franchises like “Madden NFL,” “Battlefield,” and “The Sims,” has agreed to be acquired in a historic $55 billion leveraged buyout. This deal, announced on September 29, 2025, is led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), private equity firm Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners, a firm managed by Jared Kushner.
The acquisition will be the largest private equity-funded buyout in history, surpassing the previous record held by the $32 billion TXU Energy buyout in 2007.
Under the agreement, EA shareholders will receive $210 per share in cash, representing a 25% premium over the company’s closing price on September 25, 2025.
The deal comprises about $36 billion in equity from the investors, including a rollover of PIF’s existing nearly 10% stake in EA, and $20 billion in debt financing from JPMorgan Chase, with $18 billion expected to be funded at closing. The transaction is expected to close in the first fiscal quarter of 2027, pending regulatory and shareholder approvals.
CEO Andrew Wilson will remain at the helm and EA will remain based in Redwood City, California. The move to take EA private aims to provide the company with greater flexibility to innovate and invest in long-term strategic initiatives without the pressures of public market scrutiny. This acquisition comes at a pivotal time, as EA is preparing for the launch of its highly anticipated game, “Battlefield 6,” scheduled for release in October 2025.
The buyout also marks the end of EA’s 36-year tenure as a publicly traded company.
The acquisition is expected to have significant implications for the gaming industry, potentially influencing future mergers and acquisitions and the strategic direction of major gaming franchises. PIF, already a 9.9% stakeholder in EA, is increasing its role in the gaming industry through this acquisition. Their ongoing strategy includes investments in companies like Nintendo, ESL, FACEIT, and Scopely, reinforcing efforts to expand their Savvy Gaming Group.
As the gaming industry continues to evolve, this landmark deal underscores the growing convergence of entertainment, technology, and investment, setting the stage for new developments in the gaming landscape.
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