EA has announced an unprecedented sale to Saudi Arabia, Jared Kushner’s private equity group, and more, marking it as the largest sale ever to take an existing public company private.
EA, one of the world’s largest gaming publishers, has announced a $55 billion ($80 billion AUD) deal to take itself private. The company behind massive franchises like Madden, The Sims, and Apex Legends will be sold to Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake Partners, and Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners, the son-in-law of President Donald Trump.
The deal is set to be finalised by mid-2026 pending shareholder and regulatory approvals. Current CEO Andrew Wilson will remain the head of the publisher, and has confirmed the company will remain headquartered in California. Ahead of the sale going public, Wilson shared a memo with employees, declaring the investment as “a new era of opportunity,” and that “our values and our commitment to players and fans around the world remain unchanged”.
The sale builds on Saudi Arabia’s existing 10 per cent ownership of the company, which has been built over time amid investments across the broader gaming industry. These include a $4.9 billion purchase of Monopoly Go! maker Scopely, and an additional $3.5 billion purchase of Pokémon Go developer Niantic.
The buyout of EA is both the largest gaming acquisition to date for the Public Investment Fund, but also the largest sale ever to take an existing public company private.
Critics have been quick to urge caution regarding Saudi Arabia’s investment in the gaming space, raising flags concerning the country’s continued sportswashing campaign amid its record of human rights abuses.
Organisations backed by the Public Investment Fund held the Esports World Cup in Riyadh this summer, which saw 2000+ players compete at the event for a $71.5 million prize pool. High-profile industry figures like Hideo Kojima and Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot also hosted talks at the event.
Outside of gaming, several comedians like Bill Burr, Dave Chappelle and Pete Davidson are facing backlash for agreeing to attend Riyadh Comedy Festival. It’s been reported that performers were offered between $350,000 and $1.6 million for their appearances. Comedians were also told they could not tell jokes that would “defame” Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Royal Family, the Saudi legal system, government, or religion.
Comedians Zach Woods and Marc Maron have publicly criticised the festival and the comedians attending the event. “From the folks who brought you 9/11,” Maron would joke in a recent set. “The same guy that’s gonna pay them is the same guy that paid that guy to bone-saw Jamal Khashoggi and put him in a f***ing suitcase. But don’t let that stop the yuks, it’s gonna be a good time!”
As part of the $55 billion deal, EA will have to take on a $20 billion mortgage. This financing is wholly and solely committed to JPMorgan Chase Bank and will be the largest debt commitment ever by a single bank for such a deal.
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