A new report has suggested that EA is looking to either sell or merge with a larger company, with the publisher having reportedly approached several tech giants over the course of the past couple of years.According to a new report by Puck (via Kotaku), EA was allegedly in the final stages of a deal with NBC Universal before negotiations broke down over the price. It has also been reported that Disney, Apple, and Amazon were also among the list of companies approached by EA, although it seems there are no potential deals in the works at the moment. The report also mentions that EA's pursuit to be acquired apparently ramped up after the announcement of Microsoft's acqusition of Activision Blizzard."In recent years, as media companies have taken greater interest in the rapidly growing gaming industry, Wilson and Electronic Arts have held talks with a number of different potential suitors, including Disney, Apple and Amazon, sources with knowledge of those talks told me," reads the report by media reporter Dylan Beyers. "Several sources familiar with these talks say EA has been persistent in pursuing a sale, and has only grown more emboldened in the wake of the Microsoft-Activision deal."
One company that EA has particularly close ties to is Disney, with the publisher having released several Star Wars titles over the past decade. In fact, Puck's report mentions that EA could have approached Disney as recently as this March, hoping for a stronger relationship outside of potential licensing deals.
EA spokesperson John Reseburg has released a statement since this report dropped, claiming that the publisher is "proud to be operating from a position of strength and growth" and has a "very bright future ahead." However, Reseburg does clarify that EA doesn't "comment on rumors and speculation relating to M&A." It's not exactly a confirmation that EA is looking to be acquired, but Reseburg's statement doesn't really say anything to deny the report either.
Industry consolidation is a growing concern, now more than ever, after several big deals were announced earlier this year. The big one is obviously Microsoft's deal with Activision Blizzard, although Sony's acquisition of Bungie, reports of Ubisoft approaching private equity firms have also contributed to the uncertainty felt within the industry at the moment.