Opinion: Electronic Arts close to $50 billion buyout by Saudi Arabia and Jared Kushner’s firm

EA Approaching Deal to Go Private

Electronic Arts (EA), the video game giant behind franchises like Madden and FIFA, is reportedly approaching a deal to go private, according to The Wall Street Journal. The deal, valued at around $50 billion, would be the largest leveraged buyout in history.

Saudi Arabia’s Gaming Investments

The investors involved in the buyout include the private equity firm Silver Lake, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), and Affinity Partners, an investment firm formed by President Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner. Saudi Arabia’s PIF currently provides Affinity Partners with most of its funds and also owns nearly 10 percent of EA. This buyout is part of Saudi Arabia’s strategy to diversify its economy away from oil, with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman leading the charge through initiatives like Savvy Games Group.

Following the report, shares of EA closed up 15 percent on Friday, signaling positive investor sentiment towards the potential buyout. It remains to be seen how this move will impact the gaming industry and EA as a whole.