Saudi Arabia's PIF to Hold Majority Stake in EA Post-Acquisition

According to recent reports, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund is set to own a staggering 93.4% of Electronic Arts upon the successful completion of its acquisition. A filing with the Brazilian anti-trust regulator, as cited by The Wall Street Journal, reveals that the PIF will have a nearly complete ownership of the US publishing giant once the deal is finalised. The remaining shares will be divided between Silver Lake, with 5.5%, and Affinity Partners, with 1.1%. Notably, the Public Investment Fund is also a significant investor in both Silver Lake and Affinity Partners, effectively making it the outright owner of EA. The acquisition, valued at $55 billion, was announced in late September, with the deal expected to close by June 30th, 2026. Despite pending regulatory approvals, the involvement of Affinity Partners, founded and operated by Jared Kushner, is anticipated to facilitate the process. Electronic Arts' CEO, Andrew Wilson, will retain his position, with the company assuring that its mission, values, and commitment to players and fans worldwide will remain unchanged. The acquisition is not expected to impact EA's creative control or operations, with the company maintaining its track record of creative freedom and player-centric values. Meanwhile, the Public Investment Fund has been reported to be facing financial constraints due to various projects experiencing financial distress, although its gaming investments, including Scopely, Embracer Group, and significant stakes in Take-Two and Nintendo, are not affected.