Electronic Arts (EA) might be returning to being a private company. According to a new report from the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), EA is deep in discussions on a $50 billion deal that would take the company private.
The report (paywalled) claims that investors include Silver Lake and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). This deal, according to the outlet’s sources, could be announced as soon as next week.
“Discussions on price are still underway but the deal could value EA at as much as $50 billion,” the WSJ says while noting that it’s market value was roughly $43 million prior to details of the talks going public.
The PIF already owns a 10% stake that it purchased in 2023. Silver Lake, on the other hand, doesn’t have any stake currently in the company, but it does have partial ownership of Unity, which EA has used for past titles.
Should the EA sale happen, WSJ believes it would become the “largest leveraged buyout ever, not adjusting for inflation.” The current largest buyout is the sale of TXU in 2007 for $32 billion. As of publishing, EA’s stock has risen nearly 15% since news of the deal was first reported.
The company’s next earnings call is scheduled for October 28, 2025.
None of EA, the PIF, or Silver Lake have commented publicly on the matter. Insider Gaming has reached out to all three for comment on this report. Though unlikely, should a response be received it will be added to this story.
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Mike has been covering the gaming industry since 2012, and has reported on some of the largest events in the industry while also working as an investigative reporter. Outside of…
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Silver Lake bought Endeavor out and it seems they’ll sell TKO to the Saudi’s. The question is with UFC under EA will they also move WWE to EA? What about other games? Could Def Jam come back? SSX? NBA Street? Also if the Saudi’s own it games like Apex would need to change or get scrapped.
Saudi Arabia needs to buy Capcom.
Saudi Arabia needs to finally buy Nintendo and while they’re at it Toei and Hitotsubashi Group
Affinity is also involved. Saudi Arabia needs to buy out Nintendo, Sega, Bandai Namco, and honestly it looks like they’re buying Capcom and Koei Tecmo.
Make Electronic Arts Great Again! Sports games will remain but hopefully will be made good. But non sports games too no more Apex.