US Labor Caucus asks FTC to closely review proposed $55B Saudi-led acquisition of EA

A group of US lawmakers is urging the Federal Trade Commission to take a hard look at the proposed $55 billion buyout of Electronic Arts being led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). According to the letter, the Congressional Labor Caucus wants FTC chair Andrew Ferguson to “thoroughly” review how the deal could affect game industry workers.

The letter is signed by 46 House Democrats and is backed by the Communications Workers of America, the union connected to many of the bargaining units currently operating in the US games industry. Their main worry is that the acquisition is reportedly financed with at least $20 billion in debt, which they argue can create pressure for cost-cutting after the deal closes, including layoffs, offshoring, restructuring, or studio closures.

The caucus also points to EA’s recent job cuts, saying the company has eliminated more than 1,700 roles in the United States since 2023.

Beyond layoffs, the lawmakers raise concerns about what they describe as EA’s “labor market dominance,” and argue that the buyers’ broader business ties could matter when evaluating the deal. The letter mentions Silver Lake’s connections to talent agency WME and sports company TKO Group Holdings, as well as the PIF’s ownership of LIV Golf.

The caucus additionally cites the FTC’s 2023 Merger Guidelines, which note that mergers can violate antitrust laws if they harm workers by holding down wages or reducing labor demand. In their view, EA’s size in the US games labor market makes the worker impact worth close scrutiny.

EA confirmed in September 2025 that it was set to be acquired by the PIF alongside Silver Lake and Affinity Partners for $55 billion, and EA shareholders have already backed the deal.