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Historic $55 Billion Buyout: EA Set for Private Ownership
The $55 billion leveraged buyout is the largest in history and will take Electronic Arts private to support bolder investments amid a recovering gaming industry.
- On September 29, 2025, Electronic Arts agreed to be acquired for $55 billion by the Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake and Affinity Partners in the largest leveraged buyout ever.
- Saudi Arabia's sovereign fund, already a large EA investor, expanded into publishers by rolling over its 9.9% existing stake amid gaming investments like Niantic and the Esports World Cup.
- The group of three buyers' $210 offer prompted a 15% rise in EA shares before announcement, which closed at $168 on September 26.
- The board has approved the sale, which is expected to close in Q1 of fiscal 2027, taking EA private after 36 years as a public company with Andrew Wilson remaining CEO.
- Regulators may review the deal for antitrust and national security implications amid CFIUS scrutiny of PIF's 20-30% stake, while critics raise concerns over creative freedom and layoffs linked to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
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EA’s $55 Billion Buyout Sets New 'Going Private' High Score
Video game-maker Electronic Arts has agreed to go private for $55 billion in the biggest-ever buyout of a public company. Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, along with private equity firms Silver Lake and Affinity Partners, will pay $210 per share to EA’s investors. That’s nearly 25% more than what the stock was worth before The Wall Street Journal reported details of the deal on Friday. EA has been making popular titles like “The Sims” and “…
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Bias Distribution
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50% Center
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