Electronic Arts (NASDAQ:EA), the renowned video game developer behind franchises such as Battlefield and Madden NFL, is set to go private in a $55 billion transaction backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), Silver Lake, and Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners.
Under the agreement, EA shareholders will receive $210 per share in cash, with PIF also rolling over its nearly 10% stake. The deal is projected to close in EA’s fiscal first quarter of 2027.
CEO Andrew Wilson, who has transformed EA over the past decade to focus on recurring revenue streams like subscriptions, will remain in his leadership role and maintain a significant stake in the company after the privatization.
“Our creative and passionate teams at EA have delivered extraordinary experiences for hundreds of millions of fans, built some of the world’s most iconic IP, and created significant value for our business. This moment is a powerful recognition of their remarkable work,” Wilson said. “Looking ahead, we will continue to push the boundaries of entertainment, sports, and technology, unlocking new opportunities. Together with our partners, we will create transformative experiences to inspire generations to come. I am more energized than ever about the future we are building.”
Turqi Alnowaiser, deputy governor and head of international investments at PIF, added, “PIF is uniquely positioned in the global gaming and esports sectors, building and supporting ecosystems that connect fans, developers, and IP creators. PIF has demonstrated a strong commitment to these sectors, and this partnership will help further drive EA’s long-term growth, while fueling innovation within the industry on a global scale.”
Egon Durban, co-CEO and managing partner of Silver Lake, emphasized, “This investment embodies Silver Lake’s mission to partner with exceptional management teams at the highest quality companies. EA is a special company: a global leader in interactive entertainment, anchored by its premier sports franchise, with accelerating revenue growth and strong and scaling free cash flow. We are honored to invest and partner with Andrew – an extraordinary CEO who has doubled revenue, nearly tripled EBITDA, and driven a fivefold increase in market cap during his tenure. The future for EA is bright; we are going to invest heavily to grow the business and we are excited to support Andrew and the EA team as the company accelerates innovation, expands its reach worldwide, and continues to deliver incredible experiences to players and fans across generations.”
Jared Kushner, CEO of Affinity Partners, also commented, “Electronic Arts is an extraordinary company with a world-class management team and a bold vision for the future. I’ve admired their ability to create iconic, lasting experiences, and as someone who grew up playing their games – and now enjoys them with his kids – I couldn’t be more excited about what’s ahead.”
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