Saudi Arabia and Donald Trump’s Son-In-Law Now Own Electronic Arts After $55 Billion Takeover
Saudi Arabia’s investment in the gaming industry has grown steadily in recent years. Now, it has taken control of one of the biggest names in video games. According to Kotaku, Electronic Arts has officially been sold in a $55 billion deal that will take the company private.
The acquisition has drawn attention not only because of its size but also because of who is involved. Alongside Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, the buyer group includes Affinity Partners, the investment firm founded by Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law.
Supporters see the deal as a major investment in the future of gaming. Critics, however, say it raises broader questions about Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in entertainment and what the ownership change could mean for one of the industry’s biggest publishers.
The new owners are now in place
Electronic Arts has completed its $55 billion sale, making it one of the largest acquisitions in gaming history. The deal takes EA private under a consortium including Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), Silver Lake Partners and Affinity Partners.
Although the acquisition was announced as a partnership between three groups, Saudi Arabia’s PIF will become the dominant owner of EA. Reports previously indicated that the sovereign wealth fund would control approximately 93% of the company after the deal closes.
The acquisition was first announced last September and later received approval from EA shareholders and required regulators before becoming official. Jared Kushner, chief executive officer of Affinity Partners, said EA’s games have become part of everyday life for millions of people around the world.
“EA has created stories, characters, and communities that have become part of everyday life for hundreds of millions of people,” Kushner said. “We’re excited to support the company as it continues to reach new audiences, inspire the next generation of creators, and expand the ways people around the world connect through play.”
Turqi Alnowaiser, Deputy Governor and Head of International Investments at PIF, said the fund has a strong understanding of EA because it has been a minority investor in the company for more than five years. “Entertainment and sports are key areas of strategic focus for PIF,” Alnowaiser said, adding that the group believes it can support EA’s long-term growth and innovation.
Silver Lake CEO and Managing Partner Egon Durban praised EA’s franchises. He said the investor group plans to support future growth, including using artificial intelligence to enhance game development and player experiences.
The purchase of EA adds another major gaming company to Saudi Arabia’s growing portfolio. Through the Public Investment Fund, Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in gaming and esports as part of its Vision 2030 strategy, which aims to expand the country’s economy beyond oil.
The fund has previously acquired or invested in companies and gaming-related businesses including Scopely, SNK, Niantic’s games business and EVO. It has also purchased stakes in major gaming companies such as Nintendo and Take-Two Interactive. EA is one of the biggest gaming publishers in the world, with franchises including The Sims, EA Sports FC, Madden NFL, Battlefield, Apex Legends, Dragon Age and Mass Effect.
Saudi Arabia’s growing investment in gaming has drawn attention before. It includes PIF-backed company Scopely’s acquisition of Niantic’s games business, which prompted concerns among Pokémon GO players about the franchise’s future.
While the acquisition has been welcomed by investors, it has also faced criticism from some players, employees and industry observers. Critics have pointed to Saudi Arabia’s human rights record, including concerns raised by organizations over restrictions on free expression, treatment of prisoners, women’s rights and LGBTQ+ rights.
The acquisition has also brought attention to Affinity Partners and Kushner’s relationship with Saudi Arabia. The investment firm received a major investment from PIF shortly after Kushner left the White House following President Donald Trump’s first term. Kushner’s ties to Saudi Arabia have previously drawn political scrutiny over potential conflicts of interest.
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