EA Sports Officially Sold to Saudi-Backed Firm for $55 Million

At BSO, we are committed to preserving a harmony of authenticity and integrity. This sometimes requires us to confront undesirable behaviors or ideologies that seep into our cherished pastimes. While we strive to avoid political debates, they often intrude unexpectedly. A recent development exemplifies this: the acquisition of EA by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners, and Silver Lake, highlighting the profound impact of politics on the gaming landscape.Saudi Arabia's image is marred by numerous human rights abuses, most notoriously marked by the brutal assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. In response, the kingdom has sought to improve its reputation through sportswashing, engaging in lucrative arrangements with Cristiano Ronaldo and forming partnerships with WWE. In 2022, they took control of a majority stake in SNK, but market reactions remained underwhelming. Now, with EA in their sights, they aspire to create a more substantial footprint in the gaming sector. Given these developments, consumers are urged to critically evaluate their purchasing decisions.