New York Times Reveals Bastions of EA Deal with Trump’s Son-in-Law and $55 Billion Sale

The New York Times Unveils Affinity Partners’ Role in EA Acquisition Attempt with Saudi Arabia and Silver Lake Investors

On September 25, Lauren Hirsch and Mike Isaac of The New York Times reported on a proposed $55 billion acquisition attempt of Electronic Arts (EA). If completed, this would have been the second-largest deal in video game history. The report detailed the involvement of Jared Kushner, Donald Trump’s son-in-law. Two anonymous sources revealed that Kushner’s private equity firm, Affinity Partners, was involved in this acquisition effort. The firm, reportedly alongside major investors such as Saudi Arabia’s sovereign fund and Silver Lake Partners, sought to acquire EA’s shares and take the company private. This acquisition attempt unfolded after EA executives had paused their own strategic efforts, following President Trump’s announcement of tariff plans. Amid surging stock prices and heightened market optimism since the Trump administration took office, companies began reevaluating potential large-scale deals. Recent examples included Union Pacific’s agreement to acquire Norfolk Southern for $85 billion and Keurig Dr Pepper’s $18 billion acquisition of Peet’s Coffee. Separately, Electronic Arts’ stock surged nearly 15% on a recent Friday after The Wall Street Journal reported on ongoing acquisition talks, raising the company’s market valuation to approximately $48 billion.

In Case You Missed It

As we delve into the complex financial maneuvers in the gaming industry, it’s crucial to stay informed about the latest developments that could reshape our favorite game studios and franchises. Jonathan Dubinski’s recent post on September 30th explores Electronic Arts’ massive $55 billion buyout deal, which comes with a staggering $20 billion debt. This acquisition has sparked concerns over EA’s future direction, particularly regarding potential changes to beloved series like Mass Effect or the fate of new titles such as Dead Space and Titanfall. To learn more about how this significant transaction might impact your favorite games, check out Jonathan’s insightful analysis here Electronic Arts to Acquire $20 Billion Debt. For those interested in the latest developments in the tech and gaming industry, be sure to read Marcus Thompson’s insightful piece on the $55 billion acquisition of Electronic Arts (EA). Published on September 30, 2025, this article delves into how a consortium including Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners plans to utilize AI to enhance EA’s operational efficiency. Despite political backing from Jared Kushner and the potential for controversy surrounding Prince Mohammed Bin Salman’s involvement, the deal promises significant opportunities for EA in the global entertainment market. Dive deeper into the implications of this major acquisition at EA Sale Expected to Sail Through Quickly, New Owners Bet on AI for Enhanced Efficiency to see how the future of EA is shaping up. For those interested in the evolution of beloved game franchises and the impact of cross-platform releases, Jonathan Dubinski’s latest piece on Players For Life is a must-read. Published on September 30, 2025, “Yakuza’s Success Owed to PC Gamers” explores how Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio’s decision to bring Yakuza series to PC platforms transformed the franchise’s reach and reception globally. Dive into this insightful article Yakuza’s Success Owed to PC Gamers to learn more about the pivotal role of PC gamers in propelling Yakuza’s international success.