Why the $55bn acquisition of Electronic Arts isn't your usual leveraged buyout

A consortium led by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners acquired Electronic Arts for $55 billion, with over $20 billion in debt financing from JPMorgan—the largest leveraged buyout in history. The deal closes by June 30, 2026. EA's existing $1.49 billion debt will grow to over $20 billion post-acquisition. Industry experts debate whether the debt structure will force the company to prioritize cash flow and shareholder returns over creative risk-taking, despite EA's assurances that its mission and creative freedom remain unchanged.

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Appeared in 2026-06-11.