GameStop reportedly wants to buy eBay, a company with four times its market value
GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen is reportedly pursuing an ambitious strategy to transform the struggling video game retailer into a major conglomerate. According to a Wall Street Journal report, the company is planning to make an acquisition offer for eBay, the long-established digital marketplace platform—a move striking given that eBay has more than four times GameStop’s market capitalization.
Cohen’s vision appears focused on expanding GameStop beyond its traditional core business of physical game retail, which has faced ongoing challenges as the gaming industry shifts increasingly toward digital distribution. The CEO has previously outlined plans to establish GameStop as a “$100-billion plus juggernaut,” signaling significant aspirations for growth and diversification.
The news of the reported bid has generated positive market reaction, with both GameStop and eBay stocks rising following the announcement. Physical game retail locations remain scarce in North America, though GameStop maintains a presence in shopping malls across the United States. An acquisition of eBay could potentially provide GameStop with established e-commerce infrastructure and market presence, while also allowing the company to diversify revenue streams beyond video games.