EAs $55bn sale to Saudi-led group closes — $700 million in cuts on the horizon

The deal, which includes Jared Kushner's Affinity Partners, takes EA private and loads the company with $18 billion in debt.

A consortium led by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund has finalized a $55 billion takeover of video game giant EA, with financing support from Silver Lake and Jared Kushner's Affinity Partners. The terms of the deal, including $20 billion borrowed from JPMorgan, make it the largest leveraged buyout on record.

The deal takes the maker of titles including The Sims and EA FC into private ownership - and loads it with debt.

Electronic Arts has confirmed the completion of a $55bn buyout from a Saudi Arabian-led consortium and gamers have let out a collective groan, with one going as far as saying "that is the last time I will ever buy an EA game".

Many fans are concerned the profile of the new owners will lead to changes in the company’s gaming output.

Company acquired in deal involving Affinity Partners, a firm run by Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner Electronic Arts, the maker of video games such as The Sims, Madden NFL and Battlefield, has been bought by Saudi Arabia’s wealth fund and a group of investors for $55bn (£41bn). The company announced the completi

The sale of gaming giant Electronic Arts (EA) for $55bn (£41bn) to a group of buyers including Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) has been finalised.