GameStop-eBay Deal Done? Ryan Cohen's Social Bio Change, GME's IR Page Tweak Sends Speculation Into Overdrive

• In its acquisition bid, GameStop had proposed that Ryan Cohen would head the combined company. 
• Since the deal proposal, Cohen has stepped up criticism of eBay’s falling profits and rising costs.
• On Monday, GameStop filed to raise authorized Class A shares from 1 billion to 2.5 billion.

eBay (EBAY) and GameStop (GME) stocks are back in focus after new rumors about CEO Ryan Cohen. Investors speculated that his recent social media activity and updates to GameStop’s investor relations page may hint at a possible deal between the two companies. 

Social Media Activity Draws Attention Towards EBAY And GME 

Online talk intensified after Cohen removed GameStop from his social media bio, while eBay was listed on GameStop’s investor relations page. 

The activity prompted speculations that an agreement between the two companies may already exist. People interpreted the profile changes as a possible indication that the GameStop CEO could be preparing for a broader leadership role tied to a combined business operation.

People also noticed eBay listed in GameStop’s investor relations materials. However, the link leads to all proposals put forth to acquire EBAY, as well as the related regulatory filings. Neither company has confirmed any merger talks so far, but the update has raised hopes of a possible deal.

GME’s Meme Buzz And Share Expansion Proposal 

On Monday evening, GameStop stock experienced volatility after a mix of social media activity and corporate filings reignited attention around the meme-stock favorite. 

Late Monday, online chatter intensified after cryptic posts briefly surfaced on accounts associated with trader Keith Gill, widely known as “Roaring Kitty.” The activity helped push GameStop sharply higher, but momentum faded when the posts were deleted. 

GameStop said in an SEC filing that it wants approval to increase Class A shares from 1 billion to 2.5 billion. It says this will help with acquisition deals, raising money, and company changes. 

GameStop’s dramatic expansion strategy involves a proposal to acquire eBay for roughly $56 billion. The proposed transaction would be one of the largest takeover attempts ever initiated by a company once viewed primarily as a struggling retailer. 

Cohen, who previously helped build Chewy into a major e-commerce platform, wants to merge GameStop’s physical footprint with eBay’s online marketplace operations.

Ever since the acquisition proposal, Cohen has intensified his criticism of eBay, highlighting declining performance metrics, including shrinking operating profit and rising costs. Cohen’s broader pitch to investors includes plans for $2 billion in annual cost savings within a year of completing the deal and his taking over the company’s reins. 

The deal has also drawn criticism from prominent investors, including the “Big Short” investor Michael Burry, who has exited his position at the video game retailer, raising questions about the retailer's increased debt. Meanwhile, Anthony Pompliano, CEO of Professional Capital Management, said in a post on X that he will interview Cohen on Tuesday. 

What EBAY, GME Retail Traders Are Saying 

On Stocktwits, retail sentiment around EBAY remained in ‘bullish’ territory while that of GME changed to ‘neutral’ from ‘bullish’ the previous day. 

A user said, “To me, it feels like something has already happened, and now it’s just a matter of time. Something’s definitely cooking on the stove, and it feels about ready to boil over.”

Another user remarked, “$GME half cash, half stock means legacy $EBAY shareholders will own 50% of the combined company with a better CEO who has a plan to grow earnings aggressively.”

So far this year, EBAY stock has gained over 24%, and GME stock has gained over 15%. 

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