**Gamemaker EA Might Be Sold for $50 Billion Next Week**
*By Dwaipayan Roy | September 27, 2025, 10:12 AM*
**What’s the story?**
Electronic Arts (EA), the renowned video game publisher behind popular franchises like FIFA and Battlefield, is reportedly in advanced talks for a private acquisition. The deal, which could be announced as early as next week, is valued at approximately $50 billion.
A consortium of investors—including private equity firm Silver Lake, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), and Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners—is involved in the discussions.
**Historic deal on the horizon**
If finalized, this transaction would mark the biggest leveraged buyout (LBO) in history. An LBO is a financial strategy where the acquirer uses significant borrowed funds to purchase a company. Following the reports of EA’s potential sale, the company’s shares surged over 15% on Friday afternoon.
The gaming industry currently faces rising development costs and fierce competition, while striving to meet high fan expectations amid declining discretionary consumer spending.
**Market outlook: EA’s valuation and upcoming game boost**
EA holds a market valuation exceeding $42 billion. In July, the company projected quarterly net bookings that fell below Wall Street expectations. However, EA is counting on Battlefield 6, the latest installment in its iconic shooter series, to boost sales and compete against Activision Blizzard’s Call of Duty franchise.
Battlefield 6 is slated for release within EA’s current fiscal year and is expected to sell millions of copies, potentially revitalizing the company’s growth prospects.
**Investor consortium details**
The investors behind the potential deal bring diverse expertise and capital:
– **Silver Lake:** A leading technology-focused private equity firm known for major tech buyouts. It recently acquired a majority stake in Intel’s Altera for $4.46 billion.
– **Public Investment Fund (PIF):** Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, part of the country’s Vision 2030 strategy, has diversified its portfolio with substantial investments in gaming and sports sectors.
– **Affinity Partners:** Founded by Jared Kushner, former US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, this firm has backing from funds in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE.
As these negotiations move forward, the gaming and investment communities will be watching closely for confirmation of what could be a landmark deal in the industry.
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