Jared Kushner and a Saudi Arabian Consortium Acquire Electronic Arts for $55 Billion

Liputan6.com, Jakarta In late September 2025, the gaming industry was rocked by the announcement of the acquisition of gaming giant Electronic Arts (EA) by a consortium of investors.

This deal, valued at approximately $55 billion, took EA private.

The acquisition involved several key parties, including Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) as the lead investor, and Affinity Partners, the investment firm founded by Jared Kushner.

Silver Lake, a global private equity firm, also participated in the consortium.

The acquisition announcement comes less than a month before the launch of EA's highly anticipated Battlefield 6.

Scheduled for release on October 10, the first-person shooter has already garnered attention with trailers featuring actors Zac Efron, Morgan Wallen, Jimmy Butler, and Paddy Pimblett.

🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia has acquired Electronic Arts for $55 billion — the publisher behind Battlefield, Need for Speed, FIFA, The Sims, and BioWare RPGs (Mass Effect, Dragon Age).The kingdom secures a key portfolio of franchises to position itself as a major player in the global… pic.twitter.com/8OjZ0OrKsA

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) September 29, 2025

The Electronic Arts acquisition deal was officially announced on September 29, 2025, for a total value of $55 billion.

This figure makes it one of the largest private equity-backed acquisitions in history, transitioning EA from a public company to a private one.

“Looking ahead, we will continue to push the boundaries of entertainment, sports, and technology, unlocking new opportunities," Andrew Wilson, CEO of EA, who will continue to stay in the top seat if the go-private deal goes through.

EA shareholders will receive $210 per share in cash, a price that represents a 25% premium to EA's closing stock price on September 25, 2025.

Funding for this landmark acquisition comes from a combination of approximately $36 billion in equity from a consortium of investors and $20 billion in debt financing provided by JPMorgan Chase Bank.

The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of fiscal 2027, subject to approval by EA shareholders and various regulatory bodies.

Despite the change in ownership, Andrew Wilson will remain CEO of EA, and the company's headquarters will remain in Redwood City, California, ensuring the continuity of the company's operations and vision, as reported by USA Today.

Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) is the main backbone of the consortium acquiring EA.

PIF previously owned a 9.9% stake in EA, and this minority stake has now been converted into full ownership through this transaction.

In addition to PIF, Affinity Partners, the investment firm founded by Jared Kushner, son-in-law of former US President Donald Trump, is also an integral part of the purchasing consortium.

Kushner's involvement has drawn widespread attention, given his background in government and his business ties to the Middle East.

This acquisition aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, an ambitious plan to diversify the country's economy beyond the oil sector and enhance its global image through significant investments in various sectors, including sports and gaming.

PIF has demonstrated significant activity in the video game market since 2022, acquiring stakes in several other major game publishers, underscoring its commitment to the industry.

Jared Kushner founded the investment firm Affinity Partners in 2021, shortly after leaving the White House.

The firm received a $2 billion investment from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) in 2022, a move that raised numerous questions and criticism.

PIF's investment in Affinity Partners sparked controversy among ethics experts and members of the US Congress.

A major concern was the potential for a conflict of interest, given Kushner's previous role in Middle East policy under the Trump administration and his close relationship with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Reports even indicated that a PIF review committee initially recommended rejecting Kushner's proposal due to a "lack of management experience" and "excessive" fees, but the recommendation was overruled by the Crown Prince.