EA Shareholders Approve Historic $55 Billion Buyout Deal

Electronic Arts has taken a major step toward a new chapter after shareholders overwhelmingly approved a $55 billion buyout that would take the company private. The deal, backed by a consortium led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), represents one of the most significant financial moves in gaming industry history.

🎮 Shareholders Back the Buyout in a Landslide

The shareholder vote delivered decisive support for the acquisition, signaling strong confidence in the proposed deal.

Over 201 million votes were cast in favor of the buyout agreement
Fewer than 2 million votes opposed the transaction
A separate advisory vote on executive compensation also passed comfortably

The vote took place during a special shareholders’ meeting in late December and officially clears one of the largest procedural hurdles required for the acquisition to move forward.

💼 What the Deal Means for Electronic Arts

Under the agreement, Electronic Arts will transition from a publicly traded company to a privately held one.

Key details of the deal include:

Shareholders will be paid $210 per share
Ownership will be led by the PIF, which will hold a dominant majority stake
Additional partners in the consortium include major global investment firms
The transaction is expected to become the largest leveraged buyout ever completed

Once finalized, the deal would reshape EA’s corporate structure while keeping its core business intact.

🌍 PIF’s Growing Presence in Gaming

The acquisition fits into a broader strategy by the PIF to expand its footprint in the global gaming industry.

The fund already holds controlling stakes in established game publishers
It also maintains minority investments across several major gaming companies
EA is positioned as a long-term investment with projected growth potential

Despite reports of tightened spending in other areas, the PIF has emphasized that EA represents a strategic, long-term commitment.

🏛️ Regulatory Approval Still Pending

While shareholder approval is a major milestone, the deal is not finalized yet.

The acquisition must still pass regulatory review by government agencies
Concerns have been raised around data security and national interest
U.S. officials have previously questioned the broader implications of the deal

These reviews could take months to resolve, potentially pushing final decisions into 2026.

🧠 Leadership and Creative Control Remain Unchanged

To reassure fans and investors, EA has stated that its internal leadership and creative independence will remain intact.

The current CEO is expected to stay in place
Development studios will continue operating with full creative control
Day-to-day game development and publishing plans are not expected to change

This continuity aims to maintain stability as the company navigates ownership changes.

📝 Final Thoughts

The overwhelming approval of EA’s $55 billion buyout marks a defining moment for both the publisher and the gaming industry as a whole. While regulatory scrutiny remains a key obstacle, shareholder confidence suggests strong belief in EA’s future under private ownership. The coming months will determine whether this historic deal reaches the finish line—or faces further challenges along the way.