Overview
- EA said in an SEC filing on Thursday, July 30, that it has secured all required regulatory approvals and expects the merger to close on or about the close of trading on August 4, 2026.
- The buyer is a consortium led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund with planned stakes of about 93.4% for PIF, 5.5% for Silver Lake and 1.1% for Affinity Partners.
- Reports indicate the transaction is a leveraged buyout that includes roughly $20 billion of debt financing arranged by JPMorgan, which will leave EA responsible for repaying large loans secured against the company.
- Completion still depends on customary closing conditions in the merger agreement, and regulators including the European Commission previously cleared the deal under competition rules.
- Lawmakers, developers, unions and human-rights groups have raised specific concerns about foreign influence, possible layoffs or studio cuts, reduced public financial disclosure, and how ownership by PIF and Affinity Partners could affect EA’s culture and games; Andrew Wilson is expected to remain CEO.