Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, is playing a central role in the largest private equity buyout in history.
Electronic Arts, the video game giant behind “Madden NFL,” “Battlefield,” and “The Sims,” plans to sell for $52.5 billion. The investor group includes Silver Lake Partners, Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, PIF, and Affinity Partners, the firm run by Kushner. EA shareholders will receive $210 per share.
The deal’s value rises to $55 billion when debt is included. That far surpasses the 2007 TXU buyout, which set a record of $32 billion. EA, founded in 1982, will end its 36-year run as a public company and return to private ownership.
Kushner praised the acquisition, calling EA “an extraordinary company with a world-class management team and a bold vision for the future,” according to AP News. He added, “I’ve admired their ability to create iconic, lasting experiences, and as someone who grew up playing their games — and now enjoys them with his kids — I couldn’t be more excited about what’s ahead.”
PIF, already EA’s largest insider shareholder, plans to roll over its 9.9% stake. Analysts noted the deal aligns with Saudi Arabia’s growing presence in the gaming industry. Andrew Marok of Raymond James wrote, “The Saudi PIF has been a very active player in the video gaming market since 2022 … and the EA deal would represent the biggest such move to date by some distance.”
EA CEO Andrew Wilson, who has led the company since 2013, will remain in his role. The company will keep its headquarters in Redwood City, California.
Analysts disagree on the fairness of the $210-per-share price. Mike Hickey of The Benchmark Company said, “This transaction is a self-serving, opportunistic move by management and the investor group.”
Nick McKay of Freedom Capital Markets countered that the backing will allow EA to pursue long-term growth, “too risky or expensive as a public company.”
EA shares rose 15% on September 26 after rumors of a deal spread. They gained an additional 5% following the announcement. Shareholders still must approve the buyout. The firms expect to close in the first quarter of fiscal 2027.