GameStop Builds Stake in eBay Ahead of Potential Acquisition Bid

Sun, 03 May 2026 13:49:00 +0200

Shares of eBay surged approximately 10% in after-hours trading on Friday, May 1, 2026, following a Wall Street Journal report that GameStop has been quietly accumulating a stake in the online resale platform in preparation for a potential acquisition offer. The video game retailer, led by CEO Ryan Cohen, could submit a bid as early as later this month, according to sources familiar with the matter. GameStop's shares also climbed around 8% in after-hours trading, reflecting investor enthusiasm for the ambitious move. This development aligns with Cohen's strategy to transform GameStop into a major e-commerce powerhouse valued at over $100 billion. eBay, with a market capitalization of about $46 billion, dwarfs GameStop's roughly $12 billion valuation, posing significant financing and integration challenges for any deal. During regular trading, eBay closed up 0.6% at $104.07, up 19% year-to-date, while GameStop ended 6.3% higher at $26.53, gaining 32% so far in 2026. The report highlights