Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of former U.S. President Donald Trump, has once again found himself in the global spotlight. But this time, the attention has nothing to do with his controversial years as a senior White House adviser. Instead, it revolves around a monumental $55 billion buyout of gaming giant Electronic Arts (EA), a deal that is already being described as the largest leveraged buyout in history.

The agreement sees EA—home to some of the most popular video game franchises in the world—being acquired by a consortium that includes Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), California-based private equity firm Silver Lake, and Kushner’s investment company, Affinity Partners.

This news raises several pressing questions: Who exactly is Jared Kushner? What is Affinity Partners? And why does his involvement in a deal with one of the world’s leading video game companies matter so much?

Jared Kushner: From Real Estate Heir to Political Power Player

Born in 1981, Jared Kushner grew up in New Jersey in a wealthy real estate family. His father, Charles Kushner, was the founder of Kushner Companies, a sprawling property empire. But in 2005, Jared’s life changed dramatically when Charles was convicted of tax evasion, illegal campaign donations, and witness tampering.

The most infamous charge was the witness tampering case, which gained national attention after Charles Kushner hired a prostitute to seduce his brother-in-law, secretly recorded the encounter, and attempted to use the footage as blackmail. Charles was sentenced to two years in federal prison, serving about 14 months.

At only 24 years old, Jared Kushner stepped in to take control of the family business. Over the years, he led high-profile real estate deals, including the troubled 666 Fifth Avenue property in Manhattan. Though his reputation as a dealmaker grew, many of his ventures attracted controversy.

His public profile reached new heights in 2009 when he married Ivanka Trump, Donald Trump’s eldest daughter. That connection brought Kushner directly into the world of politics.

When Trump assumed the presidency in 2017, Kushner joined the administration as a senior adviser. His portfolio was broad and often high-stakes, spanning criminal justice reform, supply chain issues during the COVID-19 pandemic, and U.S.–Middle East relations. His close ties with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during this period would later become central to his business career.

Affinity Partners: Kushner’s Investment Firm

After leaving Washington in 2021, Kushner turned his focus to finance. He founded Affinity Partners, a Miami-based private equity firm that quickly attracted billions in commitments. Among those backers was Saudi Arabia’s PIF, which invested a massive $2 billion into the firm—despite internal advisors reportedly questioning Kushner’s lack of investment experience.

With this financial backing, Affinity positioned itself as a bridge between Gulf sovereign wealth funds and Western innovation, particularly in the fields of growth equity, technology, and cross-border opportunities.

Critics argue that Affinity is little more than an extension of Kushner’s political connections, leveraging his relationships from his White House years. Supporters, however, maintain that the firm provides a legitimate and professional channel for Middle Eastern capital to flow into U.S. and Israeli markets.

Kushner’s Role in the EA Sports Buyout

The $55 billion buyout of Electronic Arts involves three powerful players:

• Saudi Arabia’s PIF – already a heavyweight investor in the global gaming industry.

• Silver Lake – a U.S. private equity giant with a strong record in technology and media investments.

• Affinity Partners – Kushner’s firm, now stepping onto the global stage with this blockbuster deal.

Affinity Partners is a minority investor in the consortium, but its inclusion has sparked debate. Some analysts believe Kushner’s involvement is more about capital connections than financial weight, while others see his role as a symbolic bridge between U.S. investors, Saudi money, and regulatory concerns.

Why Kushner’s Involvement Matters

Kushner’s role in this deal is significant for several reasons:

• Bridge Builder: His deep ties with Gulf leadership, especially Saudi Arabia, helped align the interests of PIF and U.S. private equity firms.

• Symbolic Balance: His presence reassures stakeholders wary of Saudi Arabia’s growing dominance in U.S. entertainment assets.

• Strategic Leap: For Affinity Partners, this represents a massive jump from smaller-scale investments into one of the largest deals in business history.

Saudi Arabia’s Gaming Strategy and Kushner’s Middle East Network

Saudi Arabia’s involvement in EA fits neatly into its ambitious Vision 2030 plan, which aims to diversify its economy beyond oil. Through PIF and its gaming-focused subsidiary, Savvy Games Group, the Kingdom has already acquired stakes in major players such as Nintendo and Activision Blizzard.

Kushner’s personal relationship with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman positioned him as a trusted intermediary for Saudi investments in Western markets. This buyout shows how his political networks have now transformed into powerful financial influence.

What the Buyout Means for EA Shareholders

The immediate impact on EA shareholders has been positive. Following the news, EA’s stock price climbed 4.5% on September 29, according to Google Finance. Under the terms of the deal:

• EA shareholders will receive $210 per share in cash.

• EA’s stock will be delisted after the transaction closes.

• The company will become private, giving it greater flexibility to pursue long-term strategies in areas like AI-driven gaming, cloud platforms, and sports IP.

The financing for the deal is substantial: around $36 billion in equity from the three main sponsors (including PIF’s existing 9% stake in EA), and about $20 billion in debt financing underwritten by JPMorgan Chase.

If successful, the deal would cement Affinity Partners as a serious player in global finance. But failure would reinforce criticism that Kushner’s firm survives solely on political ties and Saudi backing.

EA’s Future Under Private Ownership

With the deal expected to close by fiscal Q1 2027 (spring or summer of 2026), EA will end its 36-year run as a publicly traded company. CEO Andrew Wilson will remain at the helm and continue steering the company’s strategy.

Wilson expressed his excitement about the deal, stating:

“Our creative and passionate teams at EA have delivered extraordinary experiences for hundreds of millions of fans, built some of the world’s most iconic IP, and created significant value for our business. This moment is a powerful recognition of their remarkable work. Looking ahead, we will continue to push the boundaries of entertainment, sports, and technology, unlocking new opportunities. Together with our partners, we will create transformative experiences to inspire generations to come. I am more energized than ever about the future we are building.”

Saudi officials also emphasized their vision for gaming. Turqi Alnowaiser, deputy governor and head of international investments at PIF, said:

“PIF is uniquely positioned in the global gaming and esports sectors, building and supporting ecosystems that connect fans, developers, and IP creators. PIF has demonstrated a strong commitment to these sectors, and this partnership will help further drive EA’s long-term growth, while fueling innovation within the industry on a global scale.”

Egon Durban, co-CEO of Silver Lake, echoed the enthusiasm:

“This investment embodies Silver Lake’s mission to partner with exceptional management teams at the highest quality companies. EA is a special company: a global leader in interactive entertainment, anchored by its premier sports franchise, with accelerating revenue growth and strong and scaling free cash flow. We are honored to invest and partner with Andrew – an extraordinary CEO who has doubled revenue, nearly tripled EBITDA, and driven a fivefold increase in market cap during his tenure. The future for EA is bright, we are going to invest heavily to grow the business and we are excited to support Andrew and the EA team as the company accelerates innovation, expands its reach worldwide, and continues to deliver incredible experiences to players and fans across generations.”

Jared Kushner himself expressed personal excitement about the deal:

“Electronic Arts is an extraordinary company with a world-class management team and a bold vision for the future. I’ve admired their ability to create iconic, lasting experiences, and as someone who grew up playing their games - and now enjoys them with his kids – I couldn’t be more excited about what’s ahead.”

Mixed Reactions From the Gaming Community

Despite the positive outlook from executives and investors, the gaming community has reacted with skepticism. Many journalists, developers, and gamers have expressed concern over what such a massive takeover might mean for creative independence and the broader industry.

EA, known for franchises like Battlefield, Sports FC, Madden NFL, Mass Effect, and The Sims, has a massive footprint in global entertainment. Going private could allow it to make bolder bets, but fans fear profit-driven motives may overshadow creativity.

The Bigger Picture: Kushner’s Transformation

The EA buyout is more than just another business deal—it marks Jared Kushner’s transformation from real estate heir and political insider to global financier. By leveraging his political relationships, particularly in the Middle East, he has placed himself at the heart of one of the most significant deals in gaming history.

Still, critical questions remain: Is Kushner’s success based on genuine investment skill or simply political access? Does Saudi Arabia’s growing role in global entertainment raise long-term governance and national security concerns? And will Affinity Partners prove itself as more than just a vehicle for Saudi money?

For now, one thing is certain: when people ask, “Who bought EA?”, the answer will include Saudi Arabia, Silver Lake, and Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies

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