EA Nearing $50 Billion Deal With Saudi Arabia And Other Investors To Go Private - Report

EA, the renowned video game publisher, is reportedly nearing a $50 billion deal to go private. The deal involves a group of investors, including Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) and private-equity firm Silver Lake. According to the Wall Street Journal, the potential transaction would be the largest leveraged buyout of all time, surpassing the 2007 acquisition of Texas-based utility company TXU. The current market value of EA is approximately $43 billion, but the behind-closed-doors discussions have valued the company closer to $50 billion. Saudi Arabia has made several investments in the gaming industry in recent years, including acquiring a 2.6% stake in EA. The country's PIF has also attracted controversy due to its chairman, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is widely considered responsible for the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018. Saudi Arabia has been actively involved in the sports industry, including the formation of the LIV golf organization, which has caused significant controversy.