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    EA goes private in $55 billion buyout backed by Saudi Arabia’s PIF

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    By Saudi Arabia,Steve Wright

    Copyright stevivor

    EA goes private in $55 billion buyout backed by Saudi Arabia’s PIF

    The rumours were true.

    This weekend’s rumours were true, but understated: EA will become a private company thanks to a $55 (not $50) billion USD buyout backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (FIP), Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners, and private equity firm Silver Lake. Andrew Wilson will remain CEO following the transaction.

    The announcement

    “Under the terms of the agreement, the Consortium will acquire 100% of EA, with PIF rolling over its existing 9.9% stake in the Company,” EA said in a press release. “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 August 14, 2025.”

    “Our creative and passionate teams at EA have delivered extraordinary experiences for hundreds of millions of fans, built some of the world’s most iconic IP, and created significant value for our business. This moment is a powerful recognition of their remarkable work,” said Andrew Wilson, Chairman & CEO of EA. “Looking ahead, we will continue to push the boundaries of entertainment, sports, and technology, unlocking new opportunities. Together with our partners, we will create transformative experiences to inspire generations to come. I am more energized than ever about the future we are building.”

    “PIF is uniquely positioned in the global gaming and esports sectors, building and supporting ecosystems that connect fans, developers, and IP creators,” added said Turqi Alnowaiser, Deputy Governor and Head of International Investments at PIF. “PIF has demonstrated a strong commitment to these sectors, and this partnership will help further drive EA’s long-term growth, while fueling innovation within the industry on a global scale.”

    The buyout takes place just a week before the launch of Battlefield 6.

    Hot takes are coming out fast and furious following the news. Former BioWare lead writer Patrick Weekes, who was laid off from the developer earlier this year, imagined a conversation between EA and its buyers:

    Buyers: So your games… guns and football, yes?

    EA: Mmhmm, mmhmm, mostly guns and football, yep.

    Buyers: No gay stuff? No politics we’re not going to like?

    EA: Haha, definitely not! Hey, could you give me one sec? I just need to shut down a studio real quick.

    Fans on the Mass Effect subreddit held similar thoughts, more focused on the viability of the franchise more than its queer content.

    “Since it’s a private equity firm. They will sell off the IPs that are not making bank. The deal was done with like 200 million in debt so they are definitely going to be selling off IPs,” Guinea_pig_joe wrote on a thread titled ‘It’s over, Commander’. “So anything old or failing is gone. And the ones that are still selling well they keep.”

    “The next Sims will be interesting when the female Sims can’t leave the house unattended,” wrote sunlollyking over on the PS5 subreddit.

    We’ll keep you informed as the situation unfolds. In the meantime, what do you think of the buyout of EA?

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