--- title: "Retail Investors' Favorite Meme Stock Sparks New Frenzy? GameStop Plans David-vs-Goliath Acquisition of eBay, CEO Targets $100 Billion Market Cap" type: "News" locale: "en" url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/284944878.md" description: "Citing insiders, media reports indicate that GameStop is preparing to make an acquisition offer for eBay, part of CEO Ryan Cohen's ambitious plan to transform the retailer into an industry giant with a market capitalization exceeding $100 billion. eBay is several times larger than GameStop. eBay's stock surged more than 10% in after-hours trading on Friday, while GameStop's shares rose approximately 5%" datetime: "2026-05-01T22:05:50.000Z" locales: - [zh-CN](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/284944878.md) - [en](https://longbridge.com/en/news/284944878.md) - [zh-HK](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/284944878.md) --- # Retail Investors' Favorite Meme Stock Sparks New Frenzy? GameStop Plans David-vs-Goliath Acquisition of eBay, CEO Targets $100 Billion Market Cap **Citing insiders, media reports indicate that GameStop is preparing to make an acquisition offer for eBay, part of CEO Ryan Cohen's ambitious plan to transform the retailer into an industry giant with a market capitalization exceeding $100 billion.** Insiders stated that GameStop, with a market capitalization of approximately $11 billion as of last Friday's close, has quietly built a position in eBay shares prior to issuing a potential acquisition offer. **eBay is several times larger than GameStop,** with a market capitalization of approximately $45 billion as of last Friday's close. After The Wall Street Journal disclosed GameStop's acquisition plans, **eBay's stock surged more than 10% in after-hours trading on Friday, while GameStop's shares rose approximately 5%.** Insiders indicated that if everything proceeds as planned, GameStop could submit an acquisition offer as early as later this month. If eBay's management responds negatively, Cohen may choose to bypass them and make a tender offer directly to eBay shareholders. Specific details of the potential acquisition offer remain unknown. Cohen has explicitly stated that he is seeking significant merger and acquisition opportunities. In an interview in late January, he revealed that he was evaluating potential acquisition targets, particularly in the consumer and retail sectors, with plans to significantly expand the company's business beyond video games and collectibles. Earlier this year, GameStop adjusted Cohen's compensation package, adding extra incentives to drive increases in the company's market capitalization and profitability. If specific targets are met (including a market capitalization breakthrough of $100 billion), Cohen could receive stock worth up to $35 billion. GameStop investors, including Michael Burry, the inspiration for "The Big Short," have strongly supported Cohen's plan. In his personal Substack newsletter, he wrote that GameStop should leverage its substantial cash reserves for transformative acquisitions. GameStop's stock has risen approximately 30% year-to-date, partly driven by market enthusiasm for Cohen's M&A plans. eBay's stock has gained more than 50% over the past 12 months, benefiting from the initial success of its strategy focusing on core categories such as collectibles and fashion. In February, eBay announced the acquisition of Depop, a second-hand fashion trading platform, from Etsy for $1.2 billion. As of the end of March this year, GameStop held approximately $9 billion in cash, a significant increase from $4.8 billion a year ago. Cohen may yet call upon his massive online fan base to rally support for this deal. Cohen is the co-founder of Chewy, an online pet supplies retailer. In late 2020, he built a large position in GameStop stock and publicly criticized the company's slow transition to e-commerce, thereby accumulating a large base of loyal followers. In January 2021, he joined GameStop's board of directors, at which time the company's market capitalization was just over $1 billion. Later that year, he became Chairman of the Board, vowing to reverse the fortunes of the struggling retailer. ### Related Stocks - [GME.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/GME.US.md) - [EBAY.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/EBAY.US.md) - [XRT.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/XRT.US.md) - [GMEU.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/GMEU.US.md) - [HERO.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/HERO.US.md) - [EBIZ.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/EBIZ.US.md) - [IBUY.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/IBUY.US.md) - [ONLN.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/ONLN.US.md) - [RTH.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/RTH.US.md) - [GAMR.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/GAMR.US.md) - [ESPO.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/ESPO.US.md) - [CHWY.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/CHWY.US.md) - [ETSY.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/ETSY.US.md) - [GME+.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/GME+.US.md) ## Related News & Research - [GameStop is looking to buy eBay, report says. 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