9fin is an AI-powered debt market intelligence platform that enables finance professionals to analyze a credit, or win a mandate, in one place. We’re trusted by the top ten investment banks and asset management firms with a combined total of over $17trn in AUM.
EA’s story intersects various markets including distressed, leveraged finance and investment grade. Clients can stay informed in a fraction of the time, thanks to 9fin’s growing team of reporters and analysts, tracking the journey from the very beginning.
The 9fin advantage
- 9fin’s legal, credit, and editorial teams have been closely following the story since day one, and correctly predicted the defeasance path of the notes
- EA’s ongoing development spans across distressed, leveraged finance and investment grade. 9fin’s coverage across all the markets offers clients a 360° view in a single platform
$55bn
$20bn
3 markets
6+ months
About Electronic Arts (EA)
EA is one of the world's largest video game companies. In early 2025, EA revised its financial forecast downward and reported lower-than-expected net profit projections, citing uncertain demand and a weakening economic outlook.
EA agreed to be taken private in a $55bn LBO by a consortium of Silver Lake, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), and Jared Kushner's Affinity Partners. The transaction is poised to take EA's debt from $2.2bn to $20bn, and if bondholder drama can be bypassed and the deal completed, it will be the largest LBO in history, with bond defeasance successfully performed in practice.
Witnessing potential LBO history — and keeping clients informed along the way
9fin first started reporting on EA in September 2025. The team went beyond the top-level headlines and looked into the story behind the story, with intel on:
- The legal mechanics behind defeasance of EA’s outstanding bonds
- The impact on the wider LevFin industry
- The Silver Lake-led sponsor group — and their plan on making the numbers work
- ‘Mega LBOs’, and how they’re driving net new debt issuance
Below we highlight just a fraction of our coverage on the company. For the full scope of our reporting and analysis, get in touch for a free 30-day trial.
A ripple effect across the markets
EA’s story is one that has a wider impact across leveraged finance and investment grade. With 9fin, clients can stay informed in a single platform that provides data, analysis, news and market chatter.
- Bankers working on or around the deal can use 9fin’s editorial content, loan and bond data, and company pages on pricing, structure and comparables, to feed their syndication workflow
- Distressed desks can use 9fin’s QuickTakes and covenant tools to get granular analysis, helping them assess their position
- M&A lawyers and restructuring advisors on both sides of the transaction can use 9fin’s QuickTakes, legal and credit analysis, and editorial insights to understand the complexity of the deal
With each event taking place within this deal, clients across the cycle need fresh intelligence and data — and that’s where 9fin comes in.
For the full scope of our content, with covenant data, comparables, financials and much more, get in touch for a free 30 day trial.
