GameStop Eyeing eBay Offer

[ShawnDK]

According to a report from the Wall Street Journal, GameStop is preparing to submit an offer for eBay, as CEO Ryan Cohen aims to increase the videogame retailer's market value substantially. Shares of eBay, which currently has a market capitalization of approximately $46 billion, rose 14% in after-hours trading, while GameStop shares increased by 4%, bringing its market value close to $12 billion.

The report indicates that GameStop has been discreetly acquiring eBay shares in anticipation of a potential acquisition bid, citing sources familiar with the matter. Should eBay decline initial discussions, Cohen may opt to present the proposal directly to eBay shareholders.
 

 

Since joining the GameStop board in January 2021 and becoming CEO in September 2023, Cohen has guided the company through a turnaround that restored profitability, largely attributed to significant cost reduction initiatives. GameStop has faced ongoing challenges stemming from the industry's shift toward online shopping and digital game purchases, prompting the closure of numerous physical stores and a strategic focus on digital transformation. An eBay acquisition would represent a massive pivot for GameStop into a diversified e-commerce and holding company.

[obs]

People have been saying Gamestop is going out of business for the past decade. Ill be believe it when it happens and pigs fly.

[RobertD]

This is like Whataburger offering to buy McDonalds.  Probably not going to happen. 

[deecee4]

9 hours ago, obs said:

People have been saying Gamestop is going out of business for the past decade. Ill be believe it when it happens and pigs fly.

Yeah, the gamestop stores around me have all closed and I hear thats been happening elsewhere too. I figured a going out of business announcement was going to be inevitable at some point. 

[Scattergorical]

13 hours ago, ShawnDK said:

According to a report from the Wall Street Journal, GameStop is preparing to submit an offer for eBay, as CEO Ryan Cohen aims to increase the videogame retailer's market value substantially. Shares of eBay, which currently has a market capitalization of approximately $46 billion, rose 14% in after-hours trading, while GameStop shares increased by 4%, bringing its market value close to $12 billion.

The report indicates that GameStop has been discreetly acquiring eBay shares in anticipation of a potential acquisition bid, citing sources familiar with the matter. Should eBay decline initial discussions, Cohen may opt to present the proposal directly to eBay shareholders.
 

 

Since joining the GameStop board in January 2021 and becoming CEO in September 2023, Cohen has guided the company through a turnaround that restored profitability, largely attributed to significant cost reduction initiatives. GameStop has faced ongoing challenges stemming from the industry's shift toward online shopping and digital game purchases, prompting the closure of numerous physical stores and a strategic focus on digital transformation. An eBay acquisition would represent a massive pivot for GameStop into a diversified e-commerce and holding company.

Right, the great "turnaround" that restored profitability by continuing the trend of closing 1000s of stores! Was the plan all along to use all excess cash into buying eBay stock and force a hostile takeover of a firmly established online company that lots of people still use? Hopefully the board recognizes a klutz when they see one. Somehow I doubt he would bother making it safer for sellers to sell without getting scammed. Guess I should just be happy eBay isn't as completely dominated by Chinese sellers as it used to be.

[BB_Shockwave]

I thought Gamestop died years ago, no? I mean, nobody is renting or buying used games anymore with the online game purchase system... How are they this rich???

[RickytheRockstar]

2 hours ago, BB_Shockwave said:

I thought Gamestop died years ago, no? I mean, nobody is renting or buying used games anymore with the online game purchase system... How are they this rich???

one word: Funko Pops 

[SpiderS]

It’s a risky move, but existing value of GameStop will only dwindle with time, so it’s logical they are trying to use momentum to become more than just a video game store that’s destined to die in next decade.

It almost sounds similar to Paramount buying WB, since paramount is much smaller, only difference is that GameStop doesn’t have Oracle money behind them, so this new company also will be in huge debt. 
 

I would probably imagine GameStop merging with HotTopic, since they do share that young adult demographic and hobbies, in that case they would have some saving on operational costs and rent creating ultimate merch store.  

[interoceptive]

Please no, don't ruin eBay. Ebay is still a good place for US small independent sellers and small buyers with diverse interests to connect. Ruin GameStop by trying to make it a "third party marketplace" where buyers can be tricked into buying unlicensed chinese tchotchkes from fly by night 3rd party factory sellers when they think they are buying directly from "the store" who owns "the marketplace". 

[TheOtakuX]

After what they did to ThinkGeek, I'd rather they not obtain any other companies.

[Cxb452]

I doubt Gamestop could afford the "Buy it Now" price let alone get eBay to accept the offer.  I'm sure they won't be able to meet the reserve price anyway.  

[Admiralty_Entertainment]

1 hour ago, Cxb452 said:

I doubt Gamestop could afford the "Buy it Now" price let alone get eBay to accept the offer.  I'm sure they won't be able to meet the reserve price anyway.  

I dunno - they'll probably just snipe it at the last second... 

[Batfreak87]

I just don't think it will happen. Weird company combo! 

[Cxb452]

13 hours ago, Admiralty_Entertainment said:

I dunno - they'll probably just snipe it at the last second... 

Eh, those snipers are just bots.  I bet Gamestop would get a second chance offer.  

[ucsf]

Maybe it's time to find the next eBay if this purchase will be approved. I don't like the work philosophy behind Gamestop.

[Jscott991]

26 minutes ago, ucsf said:

Maybe it's time to find the next eBay if this purchase will be approved. I don't like the work philosophy behind Gamestop.

If Gamestop does buy eBay it is unlikely it will survive in its current form.  If you read elsewhere, Gamestop's vision for eBay is horrifying.

But Mercari has proven there is only room for one eBay in the world.  So it's not clear what would happen if eBay slowly disintegrated or how long it would take a real competitor to pop up.

[Admiralty_Entertainment]

6 hours ago, Cxb452 said:

Eh, those snipers are just bots.  

The thing is here in NZ our eBay equivalent has a thing that automatically extends the auction every time there's a bid in the last 20 seconds or so. I'm endlessly fascinated that eBay never stole that idea since it would end sniping, increase seller's final prices and net themselves better success fees...

[Jscott991]

On 5/5/2026 at 5:14 PM, Admiralty_Entertainment said:

The thing is here in NZ our eBay equivalent has a thing that automatically extends the auction every time there's a bid in the last 20 seconds or so. I'm endlessly fascinated that eBay never stole that idea since it would end sniping, increase seller's final prices and net themselves better success fees...

That's how fantasy sports auction drafts work.