NEW YORK — GameStop Corp. shares rose more than 1% in early trading Wednesday, May 6, 2026, holding near $24.48 as investors digested the video game retailer's audacious unsolicited bid to acquire eBay for approximately $56 billion, a move that has reignited meme-stock frenzy and debate over CEO Ryan Cohen's ambitious vision.

The stock, trading at 24.48, up about 0.25 or 1.03% in morning action, reflects cautious optimism following last week's announcement. GameStop's proposal values eBay at a 20% premium to its recent close and positions the combined entity as a potential challenger to Amazon in e-commerce.

GameStop formally submitted the non-binding offer on May 3, proposing $125 per share for eBay in a 50-50 mix of cash and GameStop stock. The deal would represent a roughly 46% premium to eBay's unaffected price in early February when GameStop began building its stake. Cohen has signaled readiness for a proxy fight if eBay's board rejects the overture.

Cohen's Vision: Building a Retail Powerhouse

In interviews and a detailed letter to eBay's board, Cohen outlined plans to slash $2 billion in annualized costs at eBay within 12 months of closing and transform the platform into a legitimate competitor to Amazon. He envisions synergies between GameStop's collectibles and gaming expertise and eBay's vast marketplace for used........

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