New legal filings indicate that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) is positioned to take an overwhelming majority stake in EA as part of the company’s $55 billion privatization. The deal, already the largest leveraged buyout in history, will remove EA from public trading and place ownership into the hands of just three major investors.
While questions have been circulating since the first leak of the acquisition, newly surfaced details outline how ownership of one of the world’s biggest game publishers may shift in the coming years.
PIF Poised to Control 93.4% of EA
According to fresh antitrust filings, the PIF is expected to own 93.4% of EA once the deal is finalized. The remaining ownership will be divided between private equity firms Silver Lake and Affinity Partners, but not evenly:
- Public Investment Fund (PIF): 93.4%
- Silver Lake: 5.5%
- Affinity Partners: 1.1%
The PIF’s majority share represents an investment of roughly $29 billion, significantly reduced due to its pre-existing multibillion-dollar stake in EA. Even so, such a large purchase has reportedly put pressure on the fund’s liquidity, despite Saudi Arabia’s reputation for vast financial resources.
Regulatory Approval Looms as the Next Major Hurdle
Because EA maintains a presence in nearly every global gaming market, regulatory agencies across several countries will need to approve the deal before it can close. Documents like the Brazilian filing that revealed the ownership breakdown are expected to continue appearing during this process.
However, international approval may not be guaranteed. In the United States, multiple senators have raised concerns over national security risks tied to the buyout, specifically warning that foreign ownership could offer access to sensitive user data or influence over global entertainment platforms. Whether these concerns will reshape or halt the acquisition remains uncertain.
If the timeline of past mega-acquisitions is any indication, the approval phase could take years before a final decision is reached.
Saudi Arabia’s Growing Influence in Global Gaming
This push for a dominant share in EA aligns with a broader pattern: Saudi Arabia has been aggressively expanding its footprint in the global gaming sector. The PIF already holds major stakes in multiple studios and publishers, including a significant share in Nintendo.
The nation continues to position itself as a central hub for competitive gaming. It regularly hosts the Esports World Cup and has pursued other high-profile esports events, though not all deals have remained intact.
EA Maintains That Its Vision Will Stay Intact
While none of the involved parties have commented directly on this latest ownership breakdown, EA has previously reassured employees that its creative direction, mission, and internal processes will remain unchanged despite the privatization.
For now, players and industry watchers can only wait to see how the acquisition unfolds as regulatory bodies begin their reviews. If the current structure holds, EA could soon be overwhelmingly controlled by a single foreign investor, marking one of the most dramatic shifts the gaming industry has ever seen.
