Electronic Arts (EA), the California-based video game publisher behind blockbuster franchises such as Battlefield, The Sims, and Madden NFL, announced Tuesday that it has completed its $55 billion sale to a consortium led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), private equity firm Silver Lake Partners, and Affinity Partners, the investment firm run by Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump. The acquisition is the largest private equity-funded buyout in history and marks a significant shift for one of the world’s leading gaming companies.
EA maintains a major presence in Central Florida, where it develops several of its flagship sports titles, including the Madden NFL series, at its campus in Maitland. Company executives say the new ownership will position EA for long-term growth and greater innovation. In a statement, CEO Andrew Wilson said the partnership would allow EA to “invest boldly, accelerate innovation, and build the next generation of games and experiences for the hundreds of millions of players and fans who inspire us every day.” Turqi Alnowaiser, deputy governor and head of international investments at PIF, echoed that commitment, saying the fund plans to invest heavily in EA’s future growth, including expanding the use of artificial intelligence in game development. PIF had already been a minority shareholder in EA for the past five years.
Industry analysts are divided over what the acquisition means for EA’s future. Some believe that operating as a privately held company will give EA greater freedom to develop and distribute games without the short-term pressures of public shareholders. Others caution that the approximately $20 billion in debt financing used to complete the acquisition could lead to layoffs, restructuring, and aggressive cost-cutting measures.
The deal has also generated political and ethical concerns because of the involvement of Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund and Kushner’s investment firm. Critics argue that the new ownership could have implications for user privacy, content, and corporate governance. The U.K.-based campaign group #BlockTheEADeal, which previously urged regulators to challenge the acquisition, warned that the purchase gives Saudi Arabia and Kushner’s firm access to a gaming ecosystem that reaches roughly 700 million players worldwide. The organization also expressed concern that the increasing use of artificial intelligence in video game development could create opportunities for the misuse of player data by a foreign sovereign investor, raising potential international security concerns.
Kushner defended the acquisition, stating that EA has created stories, characters, and gaming communities that have become part of everyday life for hundreds of millions of people around the world. He said Affinity Partners is excited to support the company’s continued growth and expansion into new markets.
Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have also criticized Saudi Arabia’s growing investments in sports, esports, and entertainment, accusing the kingdom of engaging in “sportswashing” by using high-profile investments to divert international attention from its human rights record. PIF has steadily expanded its gaming portfolio in recent years, holding investments not only in EA but also in Nintendo and major esports organizations, including ESL FACEIT. With the acquisition complete, EA’s flagship sports franchises, including Madden NFL and EA Sports FC (formerly FIFA), now become part of that broader investment portfolio.
As part of the completed transaction, EA shareholders will receive $210 in cash for each share they owned, and the company’s stock has been removed from public trading, officially making Electronic Arts a privately held company.
