Electronic Arts, the videogame publisher behind global franchises FC and Battlefield, is to be acquired by a consortium including PE firm Silver Lake for $55bn, marking one of the largest leveraged buyouts in history.
The group, which also includes Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), and Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners, is to acquire 100% of EA, with PIF rolling over its existing 9.9% stake in the Company. EA stockholders will receive $210 per share in cash. The per share purchase price represents a 25% premium to EA’s unaffected share price of $168.32 at market close on September 25, 2025, the last fully unaffected trading day, and a premium to EA’s unaffected all-time high of $179.01 at market close on 14 August, 2025.
For Silver Lake, one of the largest tech-focused private equity firms globally, the transaction represents another landmark investment in digital entertainment. PIF, through its Savvy Games Group, has been building a major presence in gaming as part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy, while Affinity Partners continues to expand its reach through Gulf capital.
Upon completion of the transaction, EA will remain headquartered in Redwood City, California and continue to be led by Andrew Wilson as CEO.
