If the transaction concludes, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) is set to hold more than 93.4% of EA

Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) is poised to acquire a controlling stake in Electronic Arts (EA), with ownership exceeding 93.4% if the acquisition is finalized. This development arises from a filing with Brazil's antitrust authority, according to The Wall Street Journal. The consortium includes Silver Lake and Affinity Partners, which will hold 5.5% and 1.1% shares, respectively.

The PIF already has substantial investments in Silver Lake and Affinity Partners, which means that following the deal, it will own virtually all of EA. In late September, a $55 billion buyout by the consortium was disclosed, with the closing of the transaction targeted for the first quarter of EA's fiscal year 2027, concluding on June 30, 2026. Although pending regulatory approvals, involvement from Jared Kushner's Affinity Partners, led by Donald Trump's son-in-law, could facilitate smoother negotiations.

Andrew Wilson is expected to continue as the chief executive officer of EA. An internal memo reassured staff that EA's "mission, values, and dedication to players and fans globally will remain constant." It emphasized that the company will retain its creative autonomy and uphold its tradition of prioritizing players.

In November, The New York Times noted concerns about the PIF's cash reserves for new ventures due to financial strains on various projects. However, these issues do not appear to affect its established gaming investments, including interests in Scopely, Embracer Group, as well as substantial shares in Take-Two and Nintendo.