EA reportedly set to go private with leveraged $50 billion buyout (1 Viewer)

[Matthew]

https://www.wsj.com/business/deals/ea-private-deal-buyout-video-game-maker-808aefec?gaa_at=eafs&gaa_n=ASWzDAgXJHhW7pi_6hNv67xX73m7fYINPZ2MyARmjYTIbxACUbwLBtICI3uBbrf3sA%3D%3D&gaa_ts=68d70390&gaa_sig=hT1udRdbhjbwVI7Y0pUQ6YBXUzj7HtpapJ5j0SEQe-wvBMciuredAYE8PHz8ewEchOZemoW9SZAbxQTFBOJ3Mw%3D%3D

Videogame maker Electronic Arts is in advanced talks to go private in a roughly $50 billion deal that would likely be the largest leveraged buyout of all time, according to people familiar with the matter.

A group of investors including private-equity firm Silver Lake, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and Jared Kushner's investment firm Affinity Partners could unveil a deal for the publisher best known for its sports games as soon as next week, the people said.

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Wow. This is either gonna turn out to be really good, or really bad. Hopefully they focus on making good games without having to appease shareholders.

 

[Matthew]

Video gamer Electronic Arts to be acquired for $52.5 billion in largest-ever private equity buyout

Electronic Arts, the video game maker of “Madden NFL,” “The Sims,” and other popular titles, is being acquired and taken private for about $52.5 billion in what could become the largest-ever buyout funded by private-equity firms.

apnews.com

Electronic Arts, the maker of video games like "Madden NFL," "Battlefield," and "The Sims," is being acquired for $52.5 billion in what could become the largest buyout ever funded by private equity firms.

Silver Lake Partners, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund PIF, and Affinity Partners will pay EA's stockholders $210 per share. Affinity Partners is run by President Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

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Yeah...this sucks. Private equity doesn't ever improve anything. At least BF6 is already made, but I'm definitely not looking forward to anything.

 

[Smokey]

As long as battlefield 6 launches in a working state, and remains GROUNDED in reality. I'm good. 😛

 

[iXanon]

According to Reuters, the deal is expected to close in 1st quarter of fiscal 2027 (Oct 1-Dec 31 2026) with $18B of the debt being financed.

 

[ShortieGamez]

Hoping this is a good thing for EA going forward. I know EA has had a lot of backlash over the years, FIFA and EA FC being something they have had a lot of issues with when it comes to unhappy gamers.