PIF, Silver Lake, and Kushner's Affinity close $55B EA takeover
What's the deal? Electronic ArtsDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → said its acquisition by a consortium of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF)Dealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, Silver Lake, and Jared KushnerDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →'s Affinity PartnersDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → has closed. The deal, valued at $55 billion, was first announced on September 29, 2025, and approved by EA stockholders on December 22, 2025.
Who's who? EA is a Redwood City-based interactive entertainment company behind franchises including Madden NFL, The Sims, Apex Legends, and its EA Sports titles. PIF is Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund and had been a minority investor in EA for more than five years.
What's the endgame? The consortium says it brings long-term capital and sector expertise to fund EA's next chapter. EA's chairman and chief executive said the consortium would invest in the next generation of games and experiences.
Why now? PIF is leaning hard into gaming and sports, which it calls among "the fastest growing and evolving sectors around the world." The fund said its five-year minority stake gave it "a deep understanding of EA's unique platform" and franchises.
The signal: The take-private hands one of gaming's largest publishers to a group backed by Gulf capital and a politically connected US investor. It underscores how sovereign wealth funds are moving from minority stakes toward outright control of major entertainment assets.
Read more: CNBC · Electronic Arts · BBC
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