Electronic Arts $55 Billion Buyout Marks Largest Gaming Deal in History

Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA), publisher of Madden NFL, Battlefield and The Sims, will be acquired for $55 billion in the largest leveraged buyout ever attempted, according to Channelchek, a Noble Financial Group digital market platform. Silver Lake Partners, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and Jared Kushner's Affinity Partners will pay $210 per share to take EA private, surpassing the $32 billion TXU utility buyout in 2007. If completed, the transaction would end EA's 36-year history as a publicly traded company, which began with its 1989 IPO at a split-adjusted 52 cents per share.

The deal comes as EA faces stagnant revenues and growing competition, particularly following Microsoft's (NASDAQ: MSFT) $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard in 2023. The move highlights accelerating consolidation across the gaming industry and positions EA to restructure under private ownership without the short-term pressures of public markets. Electronic Arts is a global leader in digital interactive entertainment that develops and delivers games, content and online services for internet-connected consoles, mobile devices and personal computers.

In fiscal year 2025, EA posted GAAP net revenue of approximately $7.5 billion. The company is recognized for a portfolio of critically acclaimed, high-quality brands such as EA SPORTS FC, Battlefield, Apex Legends, The Sims, Madden NFL, College Football, Need for Speed, Dragon Age, Titanfall and Plants vs. Zombies. More information about EA is available at https://www.ea.com/news. The acquisition represents a significant shift in the gaming landscape, with private equity firms and sovereign wealth funds increasingly targeting major gaming publishers.

This transaction underscores the growing value of established gaming franchises and intellectual property in an industry experiencing rapid consolidation. The $55 billion valuation reflects confidence in EA's portfolio of popular gaming franchises and its potential for growth under private ownership. The deal structure allows the new ownership group to implement long-term strategic changes without quarterly earnings pressure from public markets. For more information about the company, visit https://www.ea.com/.