Global interactive entertainment company Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), as part of an exclusive deal with an investor consortium, will receive $55 billion in the largest private all-cash deal in history.
Current EA stockholders will receive $210 per share in cash, with the per-share purchase price representing a 25 percent premium over EA’s unaffected share price of $168.32 at the close of the market on Sept. 25.
The transaction is expected to “enable the Company to move faster and unlock new opportunities on a global stage,” according to the announcement.
“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,” Andrew Wilson, chairman & CEO of Electronic Arts, said in the announcement.
“Looking ahead, we will continue to push the boundaries of entertainment, sports, and technology, unlocking new opportunities.”
The deal has already been given the green light by EA’s board of directors and is expected to close during the first quarter of fiscal year 2027, pending required regulatory and stockholder approvals. Following the close, EA’s common stock will no longer be listed on any public market.
PIF, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners each plan to fund the equity part of the financing entirely from capital under their respective control. After completion, EA will remain headquartered in Redwood City, California, and Andrew Wilson will continue as the new entity’s CEO.
Turqi Alnowaiser, deputy governor and head of International Investments at PIF, noted the partnership will allow for further growth on a global scale.
“PIF is uniquely positioned in the global gaming and esports sectors, building and supporting ecosystems that connect fans, developers, and IP creators,” he said.
Egon Durban, co-CEO and managing partner of Silver Lake, said that this major investment aligns with their mission to partner with the highest quality firms to accelerate revenue growth in both interactive entertainment and premier sports franchise.
“We are honored to invest and partner with Andrew – an extraordinary CEO who has doubled revenue, nearly tripled EBITDA, and driven a fivefold increase in market cap during his tenure,” Durban said, referring to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, a common financial metric used to gauge a company’s core profitability.
“The future for EA is bright, we are going to invest heavily to grow the business and we are excited to support Andrew and the EA team as the company accelerates innovation, expands its reach worldwide, and continues to deliver incredible experiences to players and fans across generations.”
The EA statement noted that all three members of the consortium—PIF, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners—bring experience, capital, and global portfolios with networks across gaming, entertainment, and sports.
Jared Kushner, CEO of Affinity Partners, added: “Electronic Arts is an extraordinary company with a world-class management team and a bold vision for the future. I’ve admired their ability to create iconic, lasting experiences, and as someone who grew up playing their games - and now enjoys them with his kids – I couldn’t be more excited about what’s ahead.”
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC is serving as EA’s financial adviser, and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC is serving as financial adviser to the consortium.
Electronic Arts develops and delivers games, content, and online services for Internet-connected consoles, mobile devices, and personal computers. In fiscal year 2025, EA posted a net revenue of nearly $7.5 billion.
PIF is one of the world’s leading investors, specializing in the gaming and sports industries, and Silver Lake is a global technology investment firm. Its portfolio companies generate almost $260 billion annually.
Founded in 2021, Affinity Partners is a Miami-based investment firm with more than $5.4 billion under management.
As of 12:21 p.m. ET on Sept. 29, the company’s shares rose by 4.74 percent to $202.52.