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24m ago

Electronic Arts Agrees to $55 Billion Take-Private Led by Saudi PIF, Silver Lake and Affinity

The leveraged buyout backed by Saudi Arabia's PIF, Silver Lake, Affinity Partners faces regulatory and shareholder reviews before closing.

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Gamers play the video game "EA Sports FC 26 in front of a screen featuring English midfielder Jude Bellingham (L) and Bayern Munich's German midfielder Jamal Musiala during the Gamescom video games trade fair at the Trade Fair Center in Cologne, western Germany, on the first day of the fair on August 20, 2025. The 2025 edition of the vast Gamescom trade fair in Cologne, Germany, had its opening night on August 19, 2025 and will be running from August 20 to 24, 2025. (Photo by INA FASSBENDER / AFP)
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Overview

  • Shareholders are set to receive $210 in cash per share, a roughly 25% premium to EA’s pre-rumor close on September 25.
  • The buyers plan about $36 billion in equity and roughly $20 billion in JPMorgan-led debt financing, with PIF currently holding a 9.9% stake in EA.
  • EA’s board approved the agreement, which is targeted to close in the first quarter of fiscal 2027 pending required approvals and a shareholder vote.
  • EA will be taken private but keep its Redwood City, California headquarters, with Andrew Wilson remaining as chief executive.
  • EA shares jumped nearly 15% after initial sale reports and gained about 5% after the deal announcement, as analysts noted the company’s durable sports franchises and recurring revenue.