Ryan Cohen's eBay Saga Gets Stranger: GameStop CEO Says His Marketplace Account Got Banned After Auction Stunt

• Cohen took to X to respond to skeptics with humor, questioning GameStop's ability to fund a $56 billion buyout of eBay.
• He also reacted to comments about workplace perks at eBay's San Jose headquarters.
• Cohen believes eBay is overstaffed and too complex, leaving room for major efficiency cuts.  

Ryan Cohen's eBay personal seller account is now permanently suspended, the GameStop CEO claimed late Wednesday, adding to the drama surrounding his unsolicited takeover bid for the e-commerce platform.

On X, Cohen posted screenshots that appeared to show eBay had banned his account, claiming his activity was deemed risky to the platform's community. 

Cohen's Move Leads To EBAY Account Ban 

Earlier on Wednesday, Cohen said he was "selling stuff on eBay to pay for eBay," while linking followers to his personal seller page on the marketplace.

The post appeared shortly after veteran investor Bill Smead cast doubt on GameStop's ability to finance a $56 billion transaction realistically. Smead, whose investment firm has owned eBay shares for nearly two decades, said he saw little incentive for eBay to agree to a sale. 

Earlier this week, Cohen said GameStop may issue more shares to help fund its planned acquisition of eBay.

The e-commerce platform's board, meanwhile, is reportedly set to review GameStop's offer later this week.

EBAY Workplace Culture Gets Cohen's Attention

In addition to the series of social media posts, Cohen shared commentary on employee amenities at eBay headquarters in San Jose, California. 

The topic began after a user on X asked whether Cohen knew about "Walker's West," also known as "The Sellar," a social spot on eBay's campus.

The post claimed workers receive free alcoholic beverages during daily gatherings, while additional online comments described subsidized cafeteria meals and workplace social events. 

Cohen has made his disapproval of eBay's management clear. On an online podcast this week, Cohen took a swipe at what he considers a bloated workforce. "There's 11,500 employees. It doesn't make sense. I could run that business from my house. It's eBay, it looks the same as it did in 1995. It doesn't need 11,500 employees."

GME's Quest For EBAY

Cohen is strongly pushing ahead with his plan to buy eBay, suggesting major cost cuts, changes in how it operates, and a long-term strategy to make the company more profitable. 

He feels eBay has failed to unlock its full potential over the past decade and suggested that stronger leadership and tighter execution could improve profitability and growth. 

The GameStop CEO also said eBay spent about $2.4 billion on marketing in 2025 but added only about 1 million users, indicating slow growth despite high costs. 

Beyond cutting costs, Cohen said GameStop's 1,600 retail stores in the U.S. could help eBay by serving as physical locations for item inspections.

EBAY stock has gained over 24% year-to-date, while GME stock has surged 25%. 

Also See: ROOT Stock Rallies Overnight On Record Profitability — AI Pricing And Carvana Partnership Are The Growth Drivers

For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.