EA Completes $55 Billion Leveraged Buyout, Going Private

Electronic Arts has completed a $55 billion leveraged buyout, marking the company's transition to a private entity for the first time since its founding in 1982. This historic financial shift removes the publisher from public stock markets and places it under the control of a consortium led by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. The deal stands as the largest leveraged buyout in history and fundamentally alters the corporate structure of one of the world's leading interactive entertainment companies.

Publisher exits public markets after historic $55 billion deal

The acquisition is funded primarily by the Public Investment Fund, which holds a 93 percent stake in the new ownership structure. Affinity Partners and Silver Lake also participate as key partners in the consortium. This financial backing allows Electronic Arts to operate without the quarterly pressure of public shareholders while retaining its core leadership team. CEO Andrew Wilson will continue to serve as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, ensuring continuity in executive management during this transition.

The transaction introduces approximately $20 billion in debt to the company's balance sheet. To manage this financial load, Electronic Arts is preparing for significant cost-cutting measures across its operations. Reports indicate that the company aims to reduce costs by roughly $700 million, a move that may trigger mass layoffs within its workforce. These financial adjustments follow a fiscal year where the company reported $8 billion in net bookings, setting a new corporate record for revenue generation.

Andrew Wilson described the transition as entering a new chapter from a position of strength with partners who share the company's vision. He emphasized that the group will invest boldly to accelerate innovation and build the next generation of games for hundreds of millions of players. Turqi Alnowaiser of the Public Investment Fund highlighted the consortium's deep understanding of EA's massive global sports and gaming franchises. The partnership aims to drive sustained growth in the fast-growing entertainment and sports sectors.

Source: TweakTown