Electronic Arts (EA), one of the world’s leading video game publishers, has agreed to a $55 billion (£41bn) sale, marking what is believed to be the largest leveraged buyout in history. The deal, led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) alongside Silver Lake and Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners, will see EA go private, with all public shares bought at a premium of 25%, valuing the company at $210 per share. EA, best known for franchises such as EA FC, The Sims, and Mass Effect, will no longer trade on the stock market once the purchase is complete.
(photo: Verge / EA)
The acquisition also represents another major step in Saudi Arabia’s growing push into the gaming sector. EA’s football franchise alone has sold more than 325 million copies since 1993, while The Sims has surpassed 200 million and Need for Speed 150 million. Saudi Arabia’s PIF has already made significant investments, including the $3.5 billion purchase of Niantic’s gaming division in 2025 and the earlier $4.9 billion acquisition of Scopely, makers of Monopoly Go. The country has also been building influence through eSports, hosting events like the eSports World Cup and securing rights to stage the Olympic Esports Games in 2027.
(photo: Scopely)
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