Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) is set to become the largest equity contributor in a US$36 billion deal to take Electronic Arts private, sources told Bloomberg.

The PIF, which already holds a US$5 billion stake in Electronic Arts, is providing more new funding than fellow partners Silver Lake Management and Affinity Partners.

Electronic Arts, a California-based game publisher known for Madden NFL and EA Sports FC, reported US$1.1 billion in profit on US$7.5 billion in revenue in its last fiscal year.

JP Morgan Chase is backing the deal with US$20 billion in debt financing.

If completed, this would be the largest leveraged buyout to date.

Saudi Arabia has invested around US$30 billion in gaming, with stakes in companies like Nintendo and acquisitions through Savvy Games Group, which is owned by the PIF.

🔗 Source: Bloomberg