Saudi fund leads investors in $55bn buyout of games maker Electronic Arts

01/10/2025 03:58 AST

Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund is leading a consortium of investors, including Jared Kushner's Affinity Partners and private equity firm Silver Lake, to acquire Electronic Arts, the popular video game developer, in an unprecedented $55 billion deal.

The buyout will involve a combination of about $36 billion in cash, equity already held by the PIF, and about $20 billion in debt, as announced on Monday, to be financed by JPMorgan.

The deal will give Saudi Arabia a larger presence in the esports industry, according to analysts. The Kingdom has hosted the Esports World Cup in Riyadh, and the gaming and esports sectors are significant contributors to the PIF's efforts to diversify the Saudi economy.

EA has been creating popular video games since its establishment in Redwood City, California, in 1991. Some of its well-known titles include EA FC, Battlefield, and Madden NFL. EA FC has sold 325 million copies since its first release in 1993. These games were initially available on PCs and later gained popularity on PlayStation and other consoles in the late 2000s.

The deal will "position EA to accelerate innovation and growth in building the future of entertainment," the company said.

It is believed to be the largest leveraged buyout in history, where a substantial portion of the purchase is financed through borrowing, according to the BBC.

The PIF, Affinity Partners, and Silver Lake will acquire all publicly traded shares of EA and take the company private. As a result, EA will no longer be listed on any stock exchange.

EA said in a statement to its shareholders: "The transaction represents the largest all-cash sponsor take-private investment in history, with the consortium partnering closely with EA to enable the company to move faster and unlock new opportunities on a global stage."

The PIF will maintain its current 9.9 percent stake in EA, and the transaction is anticipated to close in the first quarter of 2027. Andrew Wilson, EA's chairman and CEO, who will remain in his position, said that the deal was a strong acknowledgment of the company's efforts.

He said: "Looking ahead, we will continue to push the boundaries of entertainment, sports, and technology, unlocking new opportunities."

Turqi Alnowaiser, deputy governor and head of international investments at the PIF, said the company "is uniquely positioned in the global gaming and esports sectors, building and supporting ecosystems that connect fans, developers, and IP creators."

He added: "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."

The PIF acquired the gaming division of Niantic in March for $3.5 billion. Saudi companies have also invested in major gaming firms, such as Nintendo and Take-Two Interactive.

Egon Durban, co-CEO at Silver Lake, said that the consortium aimed to accelerate innovation at EA and enhance its international reach.

Jared Kushner, CEO of Affinity Partners, called EA an extraordinary company with a top-notch management team and a bold future vision, adding: "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."

Arab News