Electronic Arts (EA), one of the world’s largest gaming companies, has agreed to a $55 billion deal to go private in what is expected to be the largest leveraged buyout in history. The agreement will see all of EA’s publicly traded shares purchased and the company delisted from the stock market.
EA Has Just Been Sold In A New $55 Billion Deal
The consortium of buyers includes Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), private equity firm Silver Lake, and Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners. The transaction is subject to regulatory and shareholder approvals but is set to move forward as one of the biggest deals ever in the gaming and entertainment sector.
EA is known for blockbuster franchises such as EA FC (formerly FIFA), The Sims, and Mass Effect. Going private will allow the company to focus on long-term projects without the pressures of quarterly market expectations.
Chief Executive Andrew Wilson will remain in his role and hailed the deal as a “powerful recognition” of EA’s work, adding that together with the new partners, the company will “create transformative experiences to inspire generations to come.”
