The video game giant Electronic Arts, the parent company of Wilmslow’s BAFTA-winning Golf Clash creator Playdemic, has signed a $55bn deal to go private, backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, the Egon Durban-led private equity giant Silver Lake, and Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners.
EA shareholders will receive $210 per share in cash, around a 25% bonus on the company’s current market value, with the PIF also rolling over its circa 10 percent stake. The deal is expected to close in the company’s first fiscal quarter of 2027.
The studio, which is also behind the likes of the Battlefield, FIFA and Madden NFL franchises, is one of the biggest names in gaming. Andrew Wilson will remain CEO of the company when the deal is complete, and will be a major shareholder himself.
“Our creative and passionate teams at EA have delivered extraordinary experiences for hundreds of millions of fans, built some of the world’s most iconic IP, and created significant value for our business. This moment is a powerful recognition of their remarkable work,” said Wilson in a statement. “Looking ahead, we will continue to push the boundaries of entertainment, sports, and technology, unlocking new opportunities. Together with our partners, we will create transformative experiences to inspire generations to come. I am more energized than ever about the future we are building.”
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“PIF is uniquely positioned in the global gaming and esports sectors, building and supporting ecosystems that connect fans, developers, and IP creators,” said Turqi Alnowaiser, deputy governor and head of international investments at PIF. “PIF has demonstrated a strong commitment to these sectors, and this partnership will help further drive EA’s long-term growth, while fueling innovation within the industry on a global scale.”
“This investment embodies Silver Lake’s mission to partner with exceptional management teams at the highest quality companies. EA is a special company: a global leader in interactive entertainment, anchored by its premier sports franchise, with accelerating revenue growth and strong and scaling free cash flow. We are honored to invest and partner with Andrew – an extraordinary CEO who has doubled revenue, nearly tripled EBITDA, and driven a fivefold increase in market cap during his tenure,” added Egon Durban, co-CEO and managing partner of Silver Lake. “The future for EA is bright, we are going to invest heavily to grow the business and we are excited to support Andrew and the EA team as the company accelerates innovation, expands its reach worldwide, and continues to deliver incredible experiences to players and fans across generations.”
“Electronic Arts is an extraordinary company with a world-class management team and a bold vision for the future. I’ve admired their ability to create iconic, lasting experiences, and as someone who grew up playing their games - and now enjoys them with his kids – I couldn’t be more excited about what’s ahead,” added Jared Kushner, CEO of Affinity Partners.
EA acquired Cheshire studio Playdemic in a $1.4bn deal in in 2021.
