Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund Set to Control Over 93% of Electronic Arts After Proposed Buyout
- Sagar Mankar
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) is positioned to own more than 93% of Electronic Arts if its $55 billion acquisition of the publisher is approved.
According to filings with Brazil’s antitrust regulator, reported by The Wall Street Journal, the PIF will hold roughly 93.4% of EA’s outstanding shares once the go-private deal is completed. The remaining ownership will be split between Silver Lake (5.5%) and Affinity Partners (1.1%).
Notably, the PIF is already a "significant investor" in both firms, meaning its effective control over EA would be even stronger.
The consortium announced the acquisition in late September, with the deal expected to close in the first quarter of EA’s 2027 fiscal year, ending June 30, 2026. While regulatory approvals are still pending, Affinity Partners—founded by Jared Kushner, son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump—is expected to play a role in smoothing the process.
Despite the ownership shift, EA CEO Andrew Wilson will remain in his role. In a memo to staff, Wilson reassured employees that the company’s “mission, values, and commitment to players and fans around the world remain unchanged.” He emphasized that EA will maintain creative control, promising that its track record of "player-first values" and creative freedom will not be compromised.
The PIF has rapidly expanded its footprint in the global gaming sector, holding minority stakes in companies such as Nintendo, Capcom, Nexon, and Take Two. Its investment activity has grown alongside its broader push into entertainment and sports.
However, as reported by The New York Times, the fund is allegedly "running low on cash" due to several large-scale projects experiencing financial distress—though none are directly tied to its gaming portfolio.
For players, the immediate impact may be limited. EA continues to release annual sports titles and recently launched Battlefield 6 to strong sales. However, with the PIF holding overwhelming control, the long-term direction of EA could shift to align with the fund’s broader investment strategy. This could influence where EA expands, how it prioritizes projects, and potentially how it approaches global markets.