Overview

• The reported investor group includes private-equity firm Silver Lake, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners.
• If completed, the transaction would likely be the largest leveraged buyout on record, with price discussions still underway around a valuation of up to roughly $50 billion.
• EA, Silver Lake, the PIF and Affinity Partners have not commented publicly, and reporters emphasize the talks are advanced but not finalized.
• Saudi Arabia’s PIF already holds a significant stake in EA of roughly 9%–10% and has expanded its gaming footprint through Savvy Games Group and other investments.
• Coverage notes typical LBO risks such as higher leverage and cost-cutting; the talks come as EA launches FC 26 and readies Battlefield 6 for Oct. 10 after earlier guidance pointed to softer near-term bookings.