Electronic Arts may be on the verge of leaving the public markets. A Wall Street Journal report states that investors led by Silver Lake and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund are in talks for a roughly $50 billion buyout, which could be announced as soon as next week.
The report says the deal would be financed as a leveraged buyout and could become the “largest leveraged buyout ever, not adjusting for inflation.” For comparison, WSJ notes the current largest buyout was the 2007 TXU sale for $32 billion.
EA shares climbed nearly 15 percent after the initial news. The company’s next earnings call is set for October 28, 2025. None of EA, Silver Lake, or the PIF has offered a public comment so far. Who stands to win or lose if the deal goes through? Public shareholders would be cashed out, while control of the publisher would rest with private equity and sovereign investment interests, a change that could shift priorities at the corporate level and affect how studios within EA are managed.
This potential sale matters to investors, the company’s leadership, and anyone watching as big tech money moves into the gaming industry. Share thoughts in the comments, and follow us on X and Bluesky.
