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, the company went public seven years after its inception, closing its first trading day at a split-adjusted 52 cents per share. CEO Andrew Wilson has led the company since 2013.The buyout is part of a recent flurry of high-profile technology deals involving Silver Lake. The firm is also involved in a joint venture with Oracle to manage US operations of TikTok, though full details of that transaction remain undisclosed. Silver Lake has a history of taking major tech companies private, including Skype in 2009 for $1.9 billion and Dell in 2013 for $24.9 billion, which later returned to public markets in 2018.By going private, EA can reorient its operations without the pressure of meeting quarterly targets. The company’s revenues have remained steady over the past three fiscal years, fluctuating between $7.4 billion and $7.6 billion, even as its games maintain a loyal fan base.Competition in the gaming sector has intensified in recent years. Microsoft acquired rival Activision Blizzard for nearly $69 billion in 2023, and mobile gaming companies like Epic Games have expanded rapidly. Analysts suggest that privatization could allow EA to invest in innovation, streamline operations, and strengthen its market position.While privatizations often lead to layoffs, EA has not indicated any immediate workforce reductions. After trimming 5% of its staff in 2024, the company had 14,500 employees as of March 2025 and carried out further, limited layoffs in May.The acquisition is expected to provide EA the flexibility to restructure, enhance efficiency, and pursue long-term growth strategies without the constraints of public market expectations, potentially reshaping the competitive landscape of the global gaming industry.

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Phased restart

The Post Office is proposing that its stores are used for more services such as pharmacy prescription collection, digital ID and business advice, as part of efforts to safeguard its future on the high street.

The state-owned postal, banking and retail business has laid out a series of potential policy reforms to the Government to help grow its revenue streams.

However, it has also called on the Government to look at tailored tax relief for Post Offices.

The Government launched a green paper in July looking at how the organisation should be run.

In the original documents, the Government indicated it could scrap the Post Office’s 11,500-branch requirement as part of an ongoing review process.

In its submission to a consultation, which will close next week, the Post Office said it was important to “maintain nationwide coverage” and its 11,500-strong branch requirement.

Nevertheless, the company said in its reform proposal that it was seeking a “flexible policy framework” so that its network of branches can “evolve” as consumer demands change.

It is understood that this includes potential changes to the required make-up of its branch portfolio, amid the growth of Post Office-run banking hubs.

On Monday, the business also called for the Government to allow it to extend its enhanced banking and parcel services with new services, such as advice for small business.

It also called for the Government to “make post offices the trusted place for essential government services, like digital ID or pharmacy prescription collection”.

They suggested ministers “explore tailored business rates relief”, to potentially give the business discounts on its property tax payments to reflect their contribution to communities.

Meanwhile the Post Office is pushing forward with a major transformation plan.

The business said earlier this year that it is considering offloading 115 directly owned branches within its network, which could see them transferred to retail partners or postmasters, or potentially closed.

The overhaul comes as the Post Office looks to move on from the Horizon IT scandal in which hundreds of subpostmasters were wrongfully convicted.

Neil Brocklehurst, Post Office chief executive, said: “Post Office has been part of the everyday fabric of British life for almost 400 years. But we cannot afford to stand still.

“Digital technologies have transformed how we shop, transact and communicate.

“And like any modern retailer, we must evolve to meet customer demand and sell the products and services which will drive revenue for the postmasters and partners who operate our branch network.

“I look forward to working with our postmasters, partners, customers and government as we continue to transform this vital organisation, and I’m confident we will see a strong and vibrant Post Office network across the UK for decades to come.”