EA Says Saudi Takeover Deal Is Set To Close Next Week
Electronic Arts says its $55 billion sale to an investor consortium led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is expected to complete next week, taking the games publisher private. The deal matters because it would place one of the industry’s largest publishers under new ownership and rank among the biggest gaming acquisitions to date.
The consortium also includes Silver Lake and Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners, while EA chief executive Andrew Wilson is expected to remain in post. The transaction has received regulatory scrutiny and drawn concern from employees and players about Saudi influence, creative independence and potential cost-cutting linked to the debt used to finance the takeover.
- EA expects its $55 billion takeover to close next week.
- Saudi Arabia’s PIF leads the purchasing consortium.
- Concerns remain over ownership, influence and debt.
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