According to Engadget, 46 Democratic members of the US Congress, part of the Congressional Labor Caucus, have sent a letter urging the Federal Trade Commission to conduct a “thorough review” of the proposed $55 billion acquisition of Electronic Arts. The sale, which EA confirmed in September, would see the gaming giant taken private by a consortium including Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners. The deal is not expected to close until the first quarter of 2027. The lawmakers specifically want the FTC to investigate the labor market consequences, including EA’s wage-setting power and the likelihood of post-transaction layoffs. The letter has already gained support from the Communications Workers of America union.
Politics Meets Pixels
So here we are again. A massive tech deal, and politicians are stepping in. But this isn’t your usual antitrust chatter about market share for gamers. This is squarely focused on workers. The letter, which you can read here, is laser-focused on labor concentration and job security. They’re worried about “cross-ownership” shaping outcomes. Basically, they’re asking if this new ownership structure, with its deep, non-gaming pockets, will have even less incentive to play nice with developers and staff. It’s a different angle, and honestly, a refreshing one after years of industry consolidation with little regard for the people who make the games.
The Bigger Game
Look, this is about more than just EA. The gaming industry has been a bloodbath of layoffs for two years straight. So when a sovereign wealth fund—especially one with the complicated human rights record of Saudi Arabia’s PIF—wants to buy a crown jewel of Western entertainment, it was always going to attract scrutiny. The lawmakers are framing it as an “unstable industry” issue. They’re connecting the dots: more consolidation and financialization could mean less stability for workers. And they’ve got union backing, with the CWA also supporting a public petition to protect jobs and creative freedom. This adds a political and social layer to a deal that might have otherwise just been about finance.
What Happens Next?
Here’s the thing: the FTC might listen. The current administration has been more willing to scrutinize big mergers, especially around labor and “monopsony” power—that’s when a single buyer (like a major employer) controls a market. A $55 billion deal is huge, and the “Saudi” angle guarantees headlines. But will it actually stop the sale? Probably not. These types of reviews often result in concessions, not blockages. We might see promises about US job retention or operational independence. The 2027 closing date gives everyone a long runway to posture, negotiate, and apply pressure. For EA’s employees, it at least puts their concerns on the official docket. For the rest of the industry, it’s a signal that the era of mega-deals flying under the radar might be over.
