EA er klar for oppkjøp på 55 milliarder dollar med saudiarabisk-ledet konsortium, administrerende direktør lover at selskapets verdier vil forbli

Electronic Arts is on the verge of a $55 billion acquisition involving the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners, the investment firm owned by Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of former US President Donald Trump. According to reports in the Financial Times, the deal is expected to face minimal regulatory opposition, largely due to Kushner’s involvement and his ties to Saudi Arabia.

A source told the Financial Times, "Kushner has a personal relationship, and he has deep ties in Saudi Arabia. He is very comfortable operating in the Middle East. It created a basis of trust." Another source added:

"We are in a regulatory environment that is welcoming of. We are not in what was the previous regime."

The involvement of Kushner and the PIF contrasts with prior high-profile gaming acquisitions, such as Microsoft’s $69 billion purchase of Activision-Blizzard, which faced scrutiny from the Federal Trade Commission under Lina Khan. The current FTC chair, Andrew N. Ferguson, appointed by President Biden, has indicated a less restrictive stance on mergers and acquisitions. One source bluntly noted, "What regulator is going to say no to the president's son-in-law?"

The acquisition includes EA’s extensive portfolio, encompassing studios such as BioWare, Maxis, Motive Studio, Respawn Entertainment, Ripple Effect, and Criterion. The deal will also see EA taking on roughly $20 billion in debt, raising concerns about potential cost-cutting measures and the future of franchises like Star Wars and Mass Effect.

Here's a recap of the EA Sports FC 26 review.

EA CEO Andrew Wilson addressed these concerns in a statement, assuring fans that the company’s core values and mission would remain intact.

"We are entering a new era of opportunity. This is one of the largest and most significant investments ever made in the entertainment industry," Wilson said. "Our new partners bring deep experience across sports, gaming, and entertainment. They are committed with conviction to EA – they believe in our people, our leadership, and the long-term vision we are now building together. Our mission at EA to — Inspire The World To Play — continues to guide everything we do. Our values and our commitment to players and fans around the world remain unchanged. With continued rigor and operational excellence, we can amplify the creativity of our teams, accelerate innovation, and pursue transformative opportunities that position EA to lead the future of entertainment. Together, we’ll create experiences that are bold, expressive, and deeply connected to inspire generations of players around the world." — Andrew Wilson

While Wilson’s statement does not explicitly address fan concerns over games with LGBT+ themes, it emphasizes operational continuity and a commitment to EA’s existing mission. Analysts suggest that the combination of deep-pocketed investors and a regulatory climate favorable to the consortium may allow the company to maintain its creative direction while expanding into new markets.

The acquisition is expected to be finalized by mid-2027, at which point the consortium will take full ownership, although Wilson will remain CEO. The deal highlights how political connections, such as those of Kushner, can influence high-stakes corporate acquisitions, particularly in industries that intersect with global entertainment and technology.

The $55 billion transaction marks one of the largest and most scrutinized moves in gaming history, signaling potential shifts in both the business and creative strategies of a company long regarded as a pillar of the industry.

Regulators, investors, and fans alike will be watching closely as the acquisition moves toward completion, balancing the promise of significant investment against concerns over creative independence and the broader implications of foreign investment in US-based entertainment companies.