Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), in partnership with Silver Lake and Affinity Partners, has announced a $55 billion deal to take gaming powerhouse Electronic Arts (EA) private in what would be the largest leveraged buyout ever.
The agreement will pay EA shareholders $210 per share in cash, with the deal structured around roughly $36 billion in equity and $20 billion in debt financing. Once finalized, EA — the publisher behind global hits like FIFA, Madden, Battlefield, and The Sims — will be delisted and operate as a privately held company.
PIF, which already holds nearly a 10% stake in EA, will roll over its shares into the new ownership structure. The transaction still requires regulatory and shareholder approval but is projected to close by the first quarter of fiscal 2027.
The deal would significantly expand Saudi Arabia’s footprint in the global gaming industry, aligning with its ongoing push to become a major player in entertainment and technology.
