Electronic Arts to Go Private in Record $55 Billion Acquisition by Investor Consortium
Electronic Arts is going private in a record $55 billion acquisition by an investor consortium, including Saudi Arabia's PIF, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners, ending its public run.
Overview
Electronic Arts (EA) is set to go private in a record $55 billion all-cash acquisition, ending its 36-year run as a publicly traded company.
The acquisition is led by a consortium of private investors, including Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), Silver Lake Partners, Affinity Partners, and Jared Kushner.
This $55 billion transaction, with stockholders receiving $210 per share, represents the largest leveraged buyout in Wall Street history, surpassing the 2007 TXU deal.
The deal follows stagnant annual revenues for EA and reflects growing investor attraction to the video game market, potentially leading to significant industry changes.
EA CEO Andrew Wilson will continue his role, overseeing popular franchises like Madden NFL and The Sims, with the deal expected to finalize in Q1 fiscal 2027.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources cover the Electronic Arts acquisition neutrally, focusing on factual reporting of the $55 billion deal, its scale, and the parties involved. They present a balanced view of potential impacts, attributing any criticisms or skepticism to analysts or external groups, rather than embedding them editorially. The language remains objective, avoiding loaded terms to shape a particular narrative.
Sources (15)
Center (10)
FAQ
The main investors are Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), Silver Lake Partners, Affinity Partners, and Jared Kushner.
The acquisition is valued at $55 billion in an all-cash transaction, making it the largest leveraged buyout in Wall Street history, surpassing the 2007 TXU deal.
EA CEO Andrew Wilson will continue to lead the company, overseeing major franchises including Madden NFL and The Sims after the acquisition.
The deal follows stagnant annual revenues for EA and reflects increasing investor interest in the video game market, with potential for significant industry changes.
The acquisition is expected to be finalized in the first quarter of EA's fiscal year 2027.
History
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