Saudi-led consortium completes $55 billion EA buyout, shareholders get $210 per share

A Saudi-led investor group has completed the $55 billion acquisition of Electronic Arts (EA), a video game publisher. After receiving full regulatory approval, EA has been delisted from the stock exchange and converted into a private company.

Upon completion, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) holds approximately 93.4% of EA's shares, while private equity firms Silver Lake and Affinity Partners hold 5.5% and 1.1% respectively. In the final stage of the transaction, EA shareholders received a cash consideration of $210 per share, representing a 25% premium over the price before the deal's announcement.

EA owns several well-known game franchises, including FC (formerly the FIFA series), The Sims, Battlefield, and Mass Effect. This privatization marks the largest leveraged buyout (LBO) in history and places a considerable debt burden on the company.

In terms of leadership, Andrew Wilson will continue to serve as EA's chairman and chief executive officer. Wilson said in a statement that this move marks a new chapter for EA with the support of its partners, and the company will continue to increase investment to accelerate game innovation and enhance player experiences. Jared Kushner, chief executive of Affinity Partners, also expressed eagerness to support EA in further expanding its global player base and creative ecosystem.