Ahead of Electronic Arts' shift to private ownership through a major transaction, certain American legislators are seeking government intervention. A group of Democratic representatives in the U.S. House, aligned with the Congressional Labor Caucus, have sent a correspondence to the Federal Trade Commission requesting an in-depth evaluation of the $55 billion purchase involving EA.
In September, EA announced the agreement with the Public Investment Fund—Saudi Arabia's state investment entity—alongside Silver Lake and Affinity Partners, with completion anticipated for the initial months of 2027. Prior to finalizing the transfer, the 46 Democratic House members who endorsed the message to the FTC are advocating for heightened examination of the transaction's repercussions.
The correspondence highlights several significant repercussions, such as exacerbating instability within the sector, the risk of additional staff reductions, and greater control in the market for EA. It states: 'We respectfully urge the Commission to conduct a thorough investigation into the labor market consequences of this proposed acquisition, including EA’s existing wage-setting power, the likelihood of post-transaction layoffs, the degree of labor-market concentration in relevant geographic and occupational markets, and the role of cross-ownership in shaping labor outcomes.'
The message has garnered backing from the Communications Workers of America labor organization, which also endorsed an initiative by the United Video Games union. Noted by Eurogamer, the initiative urges oversight bodies and government representatives to 'scrutinize this deal and ensure that any path forward protects jobs and preserves creative freedom.'