Electronic Arts is on the verge of being acquired for a whopping $50 billion by a group of investors that includes Silver Lake and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
The deal, reported by The Wall Street Journal, would bring the video game giant out of the public eye and into private hands.
EA has long been a household name in gaming, with its lineup of popular sports franchises such as Skate 1 - 3 and now the early access Skate.
Beyond sports and skateboarding, the company has created iconic series like The Sims, Battlefield, Need for Speed, and Star Wars games, making it a familiar name for gamers around the world.
The structure of the deal is particularly notable.
According to the report, this acquisition could become the largest leveraged buyout ever, meaning a significant portion of the $50 billion price tag is being financed through debt.
News of the potential sale had an immediate effect on the market, sending EA’s stock up by 15 percent on Friday afternoon.
Analysts, skateboarders and gamers are watching closely to see how this might affect the company’s future releases and overall strategy.
Even though we’re still learning the full details, this deal shows how much global investors are paying attention to the gaming world and why companies like EA are so appealing with their big franchises and dedicated fans.