Electronic Arts (EA), the creator of globally popular video games including “Madden NFL,” “Battlefield,” and “The Sims,” is poised to exit public markets after agreeing to a $55 billion acquisition. The deal, one of the largest leveraged buyouts ever, will transfer EA into private ownership, giving the company room to restructure without the scrutiny of public investors. The transaction will see private equity firm Silver Lake Partners, Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund PIF, and Affinity Partners — led by Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law — pay $210 per share to EA stockholders. This surpasses the $32 billion privatization of Texas utility TXU in 2007, AP reported. EA has been publicly traded for 36 years. Founded by former Apple employee William “Trip” Hawkins, th
EA Stocks: EA to go private in $55 billion buyout: Silver Lake, PIF, and Affinity Partners lead historic deal; ends 36

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