Report: EA Almost Merged With NBC Universal Before Deal With Comcast Dissolved

Major conglomerates are embracing mergers and acquisitions. Microsoft is in the process of acquiring Activision Blizzard, Discovery and Time Warner have recently finished merging into one mega-media empire, and Sony is bringing Destiny developer Bungie into the PlayStation family. Unknown to us was NBC Universal’s failed attempt to consolidate its position by incorporating Electronic Arts under its corporate umbrella. 

Dylan Byers, a reporter at Puck News reports that the merger of EA and NBC Universal was in full swing until April when the deal collapsed. Brian Roberts is the chairman and chief executive officer of Comcast Corporation. EA has been in the spotlight recently because he wanted to bring new brands and IP to the company. “In the wake of the Microsoft-Activision deal, Roberts approached Electronic Arts CEO Andrew Wilson with a proposal to spin off NBCUniversal and merge the media and gaming giants, four sources with knowledge of the proposal told me,” writes Byers. He claims that the deal was negotiated for several weeks and that the best outcome, if it were to go through, would have seen Andrew Wilson lead this new merger with Jeff Shell at Comcast.

Byers claims that the agreement was eventually canceled after neither party could reach an agreement about corporate structure or monetary figures. Byers states that EA had been seeking out Disney to make a business agreement similar to the one in place, even though the deal was dissolved. According to his sources, the EA relationship with Disney is “more meaningful than licensing agreements.” Byers points out that the mixing of ESPN and EA Sports could prove to be a lucrative unification for both sides.

None of the entities involved have publicly mentioned any of this, but we’ll be keeping an eye for any signs of it moving forward. As of now, Electronic Arts is staying solo but seems open to combining forces with another company if the proper offer comes along. 

[Source: Puck News]