Affinity Partners, a Miami-based investment firm led by Jared Kushner, steers big-ticket US-Israeli bets with Saudi funding.
Electronic Arts has been taken private in a $55 billion deal led by Saudi Arabia's PIF, with Silver Lake and Affinity Partners. The move delists EA from Nasdaq and adds $20 billion in debt. Analysts expect a focus on core franchises and potential cost-cutting. Regulators approved the deal, and governance implications are under scrutiny.
BioWare has closed and EA has cancelled early development on the next Mass Effect game while cutting about 400 jobs across the company, including roughly 50 roles at BioWare. EA has narrowed its studio focus after a $55bn takeover that left the company carrying roughly $20bn in debt, industry reporting says.