Electronic Arts, the maker of Battlefield and Madden NFL, has agreed to be taken private in a record-setting $55 billion leveraged buyout, the largest in history.
The deal is being led by Saudi Arabia’s $1 trillion Public Investment Fund, Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners, and private equity firm Silver Lake. It includes $36 billion in cash, equity already held by PIF, and $20 billion in debt arranged by JPMorgan.
For PIF, the investment strengthens its push to make Saudi Arabia a global hub for gaming and sports. The buyout also signals a possible revival of mega-LBOs, which fell out of favor after the 2008 financial crisis.
EA shareholders will receive $210 per share in cash -- a 25% premium over its pre-deal price -- valuing the company’s equity at $52.5 billion. Shares jumped 5% after the announcement.
The Redwood City-based publisher will remain under CEO Andrew Wilson. The transaction is expected to close in early FY2027.
The takeover surpasses the previous LBO record -- the $45 billion buyout of Texas utility TXU Energy in 2007 -- and underscores investors’ long-term bet on blockbuster gaming franchises.
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