Electronic arts said on Monday that it was agreed to be acquired From the public investment fund of Saudi Arabia, Silver Lake and Affinity Partners in an all-cash deal worth $ 55 billion.
Shareholders The company receives $ 21 per share in cash.
EA’s share rose by 4.5%on Monday. The shares increased by around 15% on Friday and then completed $ 193.35 The Wall Street Journal reported that the company was just before a deal to become private.
PIF rolls through its existing 9.9% participation in the company and will be by far the majority investor in the new structure.
The acquisition is the youngest in a “current game stroll” by the Saudi Arabian PIF, which has been working in the game since 2022, wrote analysts from Raymond James in a note early Monday.
The fund’s gaming arm, Savvy Gaming, took part in public video gaming -publishers and bought ESL, Face and Scopely, as the analysts found, but the deal for EA is “the biggest such step so far at some distance”.
Affinity CEO Jared Kushner, the president is Donald Trump‘S-son-son, observed EAS “Bold Vision for the Future” in a publication in which the deal was announced.
“I admired her ability to create legendary, permanent experiences, and as someone who grew up with his games – and now enjoys her with his children – I couldn’t be more excited about what is ahead of us,” said Kushner in an explanation.
The group of companies creates a total of 36 billion US dollar stock investment with 20 billion US dollars in debt financing JPmorganafter the publication. JPmorgan was brought with them a few weeks ago, said the people who were familiar with the deal.
The Take Private deal for the manufacturer of popular games such as Battlefield, The Sims and the Madden series of the NFL games will be the biggest, among other things Leveraged Buyout In the history of Wall Street.
In a note to the employees, CEO from EA Andrew Wilson said he was “excited to continue as a CEO”.
“Our new partners bring deep experience in sport, games and entertainment,” he wrote. “With a conviction of EA, you are committed to faith in our people, our leadership and the long-term vision that we are now assembling.”
The deal is expected to be completed in the first quarter of the 2027 financial year.
There is a 45-day window in which other suggestions are made possible, which are familiar with the conditions of the deal at Faber. The talks started in spring, people said.
Silver LakeThe one of the most important investors in Trump’s advance is also one of the most important investors to get Tiktok Under US control.
CNBC has contacted EA to get further comments and information about the deal.
EA share diagram.
