started · updated
Electronic Arts sold to Saudi PIF‑led consortium for $55 billion, becomes private
Electronic Arts (EA) completed a $55 billion cash acquisition on 4 August 2026, ending its 36‑year history as a publicly traded company. The deal, the largest leveraged buyout in history, was led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which now holds about 93.4 % of EA’s shares, with private‑equity firm Silver Lake owning roughly 5.5 % and Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners about 1.1 %. Shareholders received $210 in cash per share and the company’s stock was delisted from Nasdaq.
Andrew Wilson will remain chief executive officer. The transaction added roughly $20 billion of debt to EA’s balance sheet, prompting analysts to warn of large‑scale cost cuts, including $700 million of annual reductions and $170 million earmarked for “organisational efficiencies,” which is expected to translate into mass layoffs and possible studio closures. Speculation has already emerged that the BioWare studio could be sold or shut down. The acquisition has sparked debate over the influence of Saudi ownership on a major game publisher, given concerns about human‑rights practices in the kingdom.
The new owners say the private structure will free EA from quarterly reporting pressures, allowing longer‑term investment in games, technology and AI, while maintaining the company’s flagship franchises such as EA Sports FC, The Sims, Battlefield and others.
Entities
Affinity Partners · Andrew Wilson · Electronic Arts · JPMorgan Chase · Jared Kushner · Public Investment Fund · Public Investment Fund (Saudi Arabia) · Silver Lake
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 25 SOURCES] The deal is the largest leveraged buyout in history. gamingnation.nl · www.antaranews.com · www.fortunegreece.com · thred.com · www.lastampa.it · +20 more
- [● 23 SOURCES] The consortium includes PIF, private‑equity firm Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners led by Jared Kushner. gamingnation.nl · www.fortunegreece.com · games.mxdwn.com · thred.com · www.lastampa.it · +18 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] EA shareholders received $210 in cash per share. gamingnation.nl · www.fortunegreece.com · www.lastampa.it · freerepublic.com · oronoticiaspuebla.com · +3 more
- [● 26 SOURCES] Andrew Wilson will remain chief executive officer of EA after the acquisition. gamingnation.nl · www.antaranews.com · www.archyworldys.com · www.fortunegreece.com · games.mxdwn.com · +21 more
- [● 27 SOURCES] Analysts warn that EA may conduct large‑scale layoffs to cut costs after the buyout. www.gram.pl · thred.com · gamingnation.nl · ipon.hu · ubirataonline.com.br · +22 more
- [● 27 SOURCES] The transaction adds about $20 billion of debt to EA’s balance sheet. gamingnation.nl · www.antaranews.com · www.fortunegreece.com · www.archyworldys.com · thred.com · +22 more
- [● 22 SOURCES] The acquisition was finalized on 4 August 2026. gamingnation.nl · www.antaranews.com · www.archyworldys.com · www.fortunegreece.com · freerepublic.com · +17 more
- [● 9 SOURCES] Electronic Arts was acquired for $55 billion by a consortium that includes Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. gamingnation.nl · www.antaranews.com · www.archyworldys.com · www.fortunegreece.com · games.mxdwn.com · +4 more
- [● 27 SOURCES] Electronic Arts was acquired for $55 billion by a consortium led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. gamingnation.nl · ipon.hu · ubirataonline.com.br · donanimgunlugu.com · www.liputan6.com · +22 more
- [● 25 SOURCES] Shareholders received $210 in cash per share. gamingnation.nl · ipon.hu · ubirataonline.com.br · donanimgunlugu.com · www.liputan6.com · +20 more
- [● 13 SOURCES] The Public Investment Fund holds approximately 93.4% of Electronic Arts’ shares. oronoticiaspuebla.com · ipon.hu · ubirataonline.com.br · donanimgunlugu.com · www.emerce.nl · +8 more
- [● 12 SOURCES] Silver Lake holds about 5.5% and Affinity Partners about 1.1% of Electronic Arts’ shares. oronoticiaspuebla.com · ipon.hu · ubirataonline.com.br · donanimgunlugu.com · www.emerce.nl · +7 more