What Is EA?
Electronic Arts (EA) is a leading American video game company founded in 1982, known for major sports titles like FIFA, Madden NFL, and NHL, as well as franchises such as Battlefield, Apex Legends, and The Sims. EA develops, publishes, and distributes games across consoles, PC, and mobile platforms, and operates services like EA Play and the EA app.
The company is headquartered in Redwood City, California, and has long been a central player in the global gaming industry, particularly in sports and online multiplayer experiences. EA’s games are played by hundreds of millions worldwide, making any major ownership change a significant event for players and the broader games sector.
The EA Buyout Deal
In late September 2025, EA announced an agreement to be acquired by a consortium of investors for about $55 billion, including debt, in a leveraged buyout that would take the company private. The buyers are Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), private equity firm Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners, led by Jared Kushner.
A recent filing with Brazil’s antitrust regulator, reviewed by the Wall Street Journal, reveals that PIF will own 93.4% of EA after the deal, with Silver Lake at 5.5% and Affinity Partners at 1.1%. This means PIF is effectively the controlling owner, funding nearly all of the $36.4 billion equity portion and shouldering most of the financial risk.
What Comes Next for EA?
EA’s board has scheduled a shareholder vote later this month to approve the buyout. If shareholders and regulators around the world give the green light, the deal is expected to close by the end of June 2026, after which EA would no longer be a publicly traded company.
EA and its studios, including The Sims, have reassured fans that their mission and game plans remain unchanged. However, with PIF now set to control nearly all of EA, questions remain about how this level of sovereign ownership might shape EA’s future strategy, content policies, and relationship with players over the long term.