CWA Urges FTC and CFIUS to Closely Examine EA Acquisition, Citing Concerns for Workers, Consumers, and the Gaming Industry's Future

The Communications Workers of America (CWA) president has appealed to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to conduct a thorough examination of the proposed buyout of Electronic Arts (EA). This move comes after EA announced its agreement to be acquired by an investment group comprising Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners. The acquisition, valued as the largest all-cash sponsor take-private investment in history, is expected to be completed before Q1 FY27. The investment group, led by Saudi Arabia's Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud and including Affinity Partners, founded by Jared Kushner, will acquire 100% of EA. CWA president Claude Cummings Jr. has expressed concerns over the deal's implications for workers and consumers, citing potential labor market competition issues, national security risks due to foreign access to consumer data, and competition risks resulting from cross-ownership of EA's competitors, suppliers, and licensors. Cummings Jr. emphasized that the acquisition could jeopardize thousands of jobs and sensitive consumer data, rather than driving innovation or growth in the U.S. economy. He has called upon federal regulators to take necessary steps to prevent foreign and private equity interests from disrupting the American video game industry, urging CFIUS Chair Scott Bessent and FTC Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson to carefully scrutinize the deal and ensure it protects American workers, consumers, and the future of the video game industry.