U.S. Officials Concerned About EA Deal Over Potential Saudi “Foreign Influence” on Americans

Senators describe the Saudi Sovereign Wealth Fund as the “strategic arm of the government”.

Two prominent U.S. senators, Richard Blumenthal and Elizabeth Warren, have sent letters to the Treasury Department and to Electronic Arts’ leadership, expressing “deep concern” about a proposed acquisition of the company by a consortium that includes the Saudi Sovereign Wealth Fund.

The lawmakers warn of potential foreign influence and national-security risks stemming from an authoritarian regime gaining control over a major American video game company.

In their letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent — who also chairs the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States — the senators call for a “thorough review” of the transaction.

According to the senators, the Saudi Sovereign Wealth Fund functions as the “strategic arm of the government.” They argue the fund’s investments in sports, video games, and cultural institutions (including $3.3 billion invested in Activision Blizzard) are driven less by profit than by a desire to “purchase influence” and to sanitize Saudi Arabia’s international image.

Source: iXBT.games