Overview
- Bloomberg reported on Monday that GameStop is considering withdrawing its unsolicited $125‑per‑share, roughly $55–56 billion offer for eBay and instead proposing a partnership or joint venture.
- GameStop has built about a 9.75–9.8% stake in eBay, making it one of the company’s largest shareholders and giving it leverage to press for board representation without completing a full acquisition.
- eBay’s board rejected the May takeover proposal as “neither credible nor attractive,” citing worries about the financing plan, the combined governance structure, and the heavy debt GameStop would need to close the deal.
- Markets moved on the reports with eBay shares falling several percent while GameStop shares ticked up modestly, reflecting investor skepticism about a costly buyout and relief that a debt-heavy deal may be off the table.
- If agreed, a partnership would aim to marry eBay’s online marketplace with GameStop’s physical footprint to expand trading‑card and collectibles services through in‑store drop‑off, authentication and shipping, but neither company has confirmed a final decision.