Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and private equity now officially own EA.
Electronic Arts has officially transitioned to a privately held entity following a significant acquisition. The company, known for its popular sports franchises, was bought in a cash deal valued at $55 billion by a consortium that includes the Saudi Arabian government’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), Affinity Partners led by Jared Kushner, and Silver Lake. The announcement of the deal’s completion came on a recent Tuesday.
The path to this acquisition became clearer when EA submitted a filing to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, confirming that all necessary regulatory approvals had been secured. The document stated, “As of July 30, 2026, all regulatory approvals required to complete the Merger have been obtained. Electronic Arts currently expects the Merger to close on or about the close of trading on August 4, 2026.” A key hurdle was cleared when the European Commission approved the transaction on July 23.
The consortium consists of the PIF, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners. Silver Lake, a tech-focused investment firm with roots in New York City and Menlo Park, California, was established in 1999 and managed $102 billion in assets as of December 31, 2025, ranking it among the top 25 private equity firms.
Affinity Partners, founded in 2021 by Jared Kushner, who is notably connected to former President Donald Trump, had $5.4 billion in assets under management by 2025. The firm is primarily funded by the PIF and has faced scrutiny due to Kushner’s previous roles in Middle Eastern diplomacy.
The PIF, a sovereign wealth fund established in 1971 and overseen by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, manages approximately $900 billion in assets. In recent years, it has made significant strides in the gaming sector, acquiring stakes in various companies, including a 97% ownership of SNK and minority stakes in major players like Activision Blizzard, Capcom, and Nintendo. The PIF also owns Savvy Game Group, which has expanded its portfolio by acquiring companies like Scopely, known for titles such as Pokémon Go and Monster Hunter Now.
The PIF’s investments in gaming are part of a broader strategy to diversify Saudi Arabia’s economy, which has traditionally relied on oil. However, critics argue that these moves serve as a form of “sportswashing,” aimed at improving the country’s global image while diverting attention from serious human rights issues, including the treatment of migrant workers and the suppression of dissent.
In light of the acquisition, EA has assured fans that it will retain creative control and uphold its commitment to player-centric values. The company stated, “The Consortium believes in our vision, our leadership, and the strength of our teams. They are investing in EA because they believe we are uniquely positioned to lead the future of entertainment.”
Despite these reassurances, some employees remain skeptical. An anonymous EA worker expressed concerns about the implications of the deal, particularly regarding the potential impact of the Saudi government’s conservative stance on game content, especially for franchises like The Sims, which has historically embraced inclusivity.
There are precedents for such concerns, as seen with the PIF’s influence on game development. For instance, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, developed by SNK, features guest characters with ties to Saudi Arabia, including soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo and DJ Salvatore Ganacci, both of whom have connections to events in the region.
As EA embarks on this new chapter as a privately held company, the extent of the Saudi government’s influence on its operations remains to be seen. The PIF has shown itself to be a somewhat unpredictable investor in entertainment, having recently scaled back funding for its LIV Golf tour and divested from a soccer team. While EA may no longer answer to public shareholders, the implications of this shift could be significant for the future of its games.
