So now they will control Ticket to Ride, Star Wars X-wing, and Catan? I have a big gap in my gaming knowledge from being away from it for many many years, but what product that was actually theirs gave them such deep pockets?

Asmodée Éditions (the original French company) was bought by an investment firm in 2013, and they've used the money to buy other publishers.  Previously they'd been spreading out internationally with investment money from a different firm and money from things like the French version of the Pokémon card game.