Saudi Wealth Fund and Kushner's Affinity Close $55B EA Sports Deal
EA Sports shares stop trading and will be delisted from Nasdaq as shareholders receive $210 cash per share in the landmark acquisition.
Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund and Jared Kushner's private equity firm Affinity have finalized a blockbuster $55 billion deal to acquire EA Sports, one of the largest takeovers in the history of the gaming industry. The transaction marks a significant escalation of Gulf state investment into Western entertainment and technology assets.
EA confirmed that its stock has ceased trading and will be delisted from the Nasdaq exchange as a result of the completed deal. Shareholders are set to receive $210 per share in cash, a payout that reflects the massive premium attached to one of the world's most recognizable video game brands.
The deal represents a major milestone for Kushner's Affinity Partners, the firm he founded after leaving the White House, and underscores the Saudi Public Investment Fund's aggressive strategy of acquiring high-profile global assets. The PIF has previously made splashy moves in sports, golf, and entertainment, and this acquisition dramatically extends that footprint into interactive media.
For EA, whose franchises include FIFA, Madden, and Apex Legends, the transition to private ownership under these backers raises immediate questions about the future direction of its game development priorities, potential exclusive content strategies, and what delisting means for the millions of retail investors who held shares. Analysts will be watching closely to see whether the new ownership accelerates or disrupts the company's existing publishing pipeline.
The finalization of this agreement signals growing confidence among Gulf sovereign funds in the long-term value of the gaming sector, which generates hundreds of billions in annual global revenue. Continue reading at US Top News and Analysis.