Several groups are vocally pushing back against the recently announced acquisition of Electronic Arts (EA), which would see a collective of investors—including Jared Kushner’s company and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF)—take over ownership of the renowned publisher and developer.
In Congress, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Richard Blumenthal published a letter to Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent expressing concerns about foreign influence and potential security risks associated with the prospective owners involved in the deal.
Meanwhile, the United Video Game Workers-CWA union has also issued a statement raising concerns about the acquisition. The union highlighted the risks of layoffs and potential closure of studios that might be deemed unprofitable under the new ownership. The CWA’s main concern centers on the fact that workers have been completely excluded from the decision-making process regarding EA’s deal, even as their careers could be jeopardized.
Senators Warren and Blumenthal further elaborated on their reservations about transferring control of a massive, multi-million-dollar American company to partial Saudi Arabian ownership. Their letter emphasizes the need for thorough review due to geopolitical and security implications.
EA initially announced the upcoming acquisition by this group of investors at the end of September 2025. The consortium includes Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake, and Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners.
Since the announcement, several concerns have arisen regarding EA’s future. Employees at BioWare, one of EA’s prominent studios, fear that the studio may face closure if the deal goes through. Additionally, fans are speculating about potential changes to major franchises such as NHL, EA College Football, and Madden, wondering if these titles will remain a priority under new, global ownership.
The controversy surrounding the acquisition highlights the complex balance between business interests, national security, and employee welfare as EA moves toward a significant transition in ownership.
https://www.shacknews.com/article/146383/video-game-workers-cwa-elizabeth-warren-richard-blumenthal
