Saudi Sovereign Fund Completes $55 Billion Leveraged Buyout of Electronic Arts

Electronic Arts has completed its $55 billion going-private transaction, handing more than 93 percent ownership of the video game publisher to Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund in the largest leveraged buyout on record.

The transaction officially closed on Tuesday, taking the Redwood City, California-based developer off public markets while saddling it with $20 billion in debt financing that the enterprise will need to pay back over time. The company reported a net profit of $387 million after operating expenses and taxes for its most recent fiscal quarter, which ended June 30.

While Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund secured dominant control, private equity firms Silver Lake and Affinity Partners are also part of the new ownership consortium. Chief Executive Officer Andrew Wilson will remain at the helm of the publisher, maintaining its headquarters in Redwood City.

The takeover concluded several months behind its initial target schedule. First proposed last September, the deal received approval from EA shareholders a few months later before securing its final required regulatory clearances last week.

The deal represents the largest single asset acquisition to date for the Public Investment Fund’s gaming initiatives, bringing major global video game franchises such as EA Sports FC, Madden NFL, and Apex Legends under its majority ownership as part of a broader economic diversification strategy.

In an internal letter sent to employees following the deal’s closure, Wilson outlined the company’s direction under private ownership, writing that EA maintains its commitment to “building the world’s greatest games, communities, and creative culture.”