Gaming large Electronic Arts to go non-public in $55 billion sale

Video sport maker Electronic Arts has introduced that it has been bought for a staggering $55 billion in what’s believed to be the largest leveraged buyout in history.

The firm mentioned the all-cash sale to a bunch that features Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and Jared Kushner’s enterprise capital agency “positions EA to accelerate innovation and growth to build the future of entertainment.” 

EA is thought for best-selling sports activities video games reminiscent of its Madden, FIFA (now known as EA FC), NBA, NHL and school soccer franchises — in addition to different in style video games reminiscent of The Sims and Mass Effect.

The deal will take EA non-public – with the funding consortium of Saudi Arabia’s PIF, Silver Lake and Kushner’s Affinity Partners buying all public shares — so it would not be traded on a inventory alternate.

Andrew Wilson will stay on board as EA’s CEO after the transaction is accomplished.

In a Sept. 29 memo to EA workers, Wilson mentioned the deal is “in the best interests of our company and our stockholders.”

The deal — the second-most priceless gaming buy in historical past behind Microsoft’s $69 billion buy of Activision Blizzard in 2023 — should nonetheless be accredited by regulatory companies and EA stockholders earlier than it may be accomplished.

EA mentioned approval is expected to be finalized in early 2027.