The EA Takeover: What Saudi Arabia’s $55B Buyout Means for Gamers, Jobs and the Future of Play
Imagine your favorite games being steered by a consortium led by a sovereign wealth fund — not Wall Street. In one of the largest corporate moves of 2025, Electronic Arts (EA) has agreed to be taken private in a historic $55 billion buyout led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), Silver Lake and Affinity Partners. This deal could reshape the business of games — from what titles get greenlit to where studios set up shop. 1) The short story — the facts you need to know Price & parties: EA agreed to be acquired in an all-cash transaction valued at roughly $55 billion by a consortium including Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) , Silver Lake , and Affinity Partners . EA News +1 Shareholder payout: EA stockholders will receive $210 per share , roughly a 25% premium over an unaffected share price in late September 2025. EA Timing & governance: The deal is expected to close by fiscal Q1 2027 , subject to regulatory and sha...