A recent report has been proven correct, and publisher Electronic Arts (EA) is indeed going private.
The $55 billion deal — the Monday press release boasts that it's the largest all-cash leveraged buyout ever — is being backed by three major investors, with American private equity firm Silver Lake joining American investment firm Affinity Partners, as well as Saudi Arabian investment firm PIF, in funding the venture.
Altogether, the three firms are committing $36 billion, in addition to the PIF's existing stake in EA. The venture is additionally being funded by $20 billion in debt, financed by JPMorgan Chase Bank.
“Our creative and passionate teams at EA have delivered extraordinary experiences for hundreds of millions of fans, built some of the world’s most iconic IP, and created significant value for our business. This moment is a powerful recognition of their remarkable work,” said Andrew Wilson, chairman and CEO of EA.
“Looking ahead, we will continue to push the boundaries of entertainment, sports, and technology, unlocking new opportunities. Together with our partners, we will create transformative experiences to inspire generations to come. I am more energized than ever about the future we are building.”
Egon Durban, co-CEO of Silver Lake, added that EA is "anchored by its premier sports franchise," and noted that "we are going to invest heavily to grow the business" in order to expand EA's reach.
The deal has to go through standard regulatory procedures and is currently expected to close at some point in Q1 2027. Andrew Wilson is expected to stay on as CEO following the completion of the deal.
