EA Saudi Ownership will sit at close to 100% post-acquisition, according to new filing

Hannah Marie ZT, Senior Editor

Last Updated: 03/12/2025

Following the announcement of EA’s acquisition by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and private equity firms, a new filing shows that EA Saudi ownership will potentially sit at 93.4%.

This significant holding effectively places the Saudi government in complete control of the game publisher, raising further questions about the acquisition’s impact. 

Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund to own 93.4% of EA

First reported by the Wall Street Journal, the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund is set to own 93.4% of EA, according to a recent filing. This effectively places the Saudi Arabian government in complete control of the game publisher’s future direction. 

When accounting for the PIF’s existing stake in EA, equity funding, and debt (a $20 billion loan from JP Morgan), Saudi Arabia will pay around $29 billion USD outright for the buyout. 

When the PIF and private equity purchase of EA was first publicly announced, EA’s VEO Andrew Wilson stated that the “values and our commitment to players and fans around the world remain unchanged.” 

However, the extent of the PIF’s control post-buyout casts doubt over this statement’s legitimacy.

Saudi Arabia has already purchased significant stakes in ESL FACEIT Group and other esports and gaming-oriented organisations. The Public Investment Fund is also responsible for the Esports World Cup and the new Esports Nations Cup.

As the PIF has continued purchasing stakes in esports, certain communities have also witnessed the gutting of crucial structures. 

Most recently, the ESL Impact CS2 women’s circuit was indefinitely suspended. ESL FACEIT Group stated that the axing of one of the few influential high-status women’s circuits was due to the economic model being “simply not sustainable.” 

With several competitive esports circuits directly under EA’s control, their futures are now also cast into doubt. 

Professional esports titles at EA’s mercy include Apex Legends, EA Sports FC, Madden NFL, and the emerging Battlefield competitive circuit. 

The potential pitfalls of Private Equity ownership and the PIF

Notably, the type of acquisition used to purchase EA comes with its own pitfalls. This includes issues separate from the ongoing economic struggles within esports. 

According to the Private Equity Stakeholder Project, in the US, Private Equity-owned companies account for 11% of all corporate bankruptcies in 2024. Additionally, Private Equity firms played a role in 56% of US bankruptcy filings overall. 

Alongside this, the PIF is known to be experiencing financial strain. 

In Q3 this year, the PIF exited holdings in nine different US-listed companies, including Visa and Pinterest. Earlier in 2025, the PIF also ended its investments in Meta, PayPal, and FedEx. 

In fact, the New York Times recently reported that the PIF has spent a large share of its funds on projects in financial distress. As a result, there is a funding squeeze limiting the fund’s opportunities. 

Therefore, the instability of the PIF could directly affect EA as the acquisition progresses. 

The extent of impact is currently unknown. However, given the financial status of the PIF, the games publishing industry, and the esports ecosystem, there may be a risk of significant cuts. 

Drawing connections between EA, the PIF, and AI investment

Interestingly, the acquisition of EA and EA’s latest partnership announcement draw connections with some of the PIF’s broader strategy regarding investment in AI.  

In October 2025, EA’s AI strategic partnership announcement triggered aggressive community pushback. Unsurprisingly, this pushback was fuelled by a fear of creative loss and layoffs. This partnership between EA and Stability.AI appears vast, intrusive, and intensive. 

The partnership was also announced shortly after EA’s acquisition was confirmed. 

AI is also a new focal point for Saudi Arabian investment. 

While picking up EA, the PIF has also begun negotiations with major tech giants to use Saudi Arabian data centres. This would position Saudi Arabia as a significant beneficiary of AI and its power-gulping support networks. 

Given that EA has just committed to an intensive AI partnership, these interests align with the PIF’s aims. 

However, these interests and aims are typically followed by layoffs of the human workforce. 

Game developers, community managers, and many other humans are at the centre of EA’s identity. However, with the risk of money-saving, AI-prioritising cuts, the game publisher’s future is cast into doubt.   

Hannah Marie ZT, Senior Editor

Hannah is a journalist specialising in the esports, gaming, and technology sectors. Working for outlets such as Dot Esports, Esports Insider, and of course ENUK, she has developed a love for wider esports, Apex Legends, and advocating for women's esports initiatives. You may have seen her at various esports and gaming events, including ALGS LANs, ESI London, EGX, and watch parties.

All Posts By Hannah Marie ZT