Ryan Cohen Offers $56 Billion for eBay; GameStop CEO Eyes Amazon Competition

Ryan Cohen, the billionaire entrepreneur best known for transforming GameStop during the meme-stock era, has made headlines after reportedly launching an unsolicited $56 billion bid to acquire eBay. The proposed deal has triggered intense discussion across financial markets and social media, with many people revisiting Cohen’s unconventional rise from college dropout to one of the most influential figures in modern retail investing and e-commerce business circles.

According to reports, Cohen sent a nonbinding proposal to eBay’s board offering approximately $125 per share in a deal structured as a 50-50 combination of cash and stock. He also reportedly indicated that he would be willing to take the proposal directly to shareholders if the company’s board failed to respond positively. The aggressive takeover attempt comes after GameStop quietly accumulated a nearly 5 per cent stake in eBay beginning in February, signalling a broader strategic move toward expanding its presence in digital commerce and collectibles.

Born in Montreal, Canada, the 40-year-old entrepreneur built his reputation without completing a traditional college education. Cohen reportedly dropped out of Rowan University after only one semester before focusing entirely on entrepreneurship. He later founded pet supplies platform Chewy, which rapidly became one of the largest online pet retailers in the United States. In 2017, Chewy was sold to PetSmart for approximately $3.35 billion, instantly establishing Cohen as a major figure in the e-commerce industry.

Also Read: Shikhar Dhawan Officially Registers Marriage With Sophie Shine in Gurugram

Cohen later became widely recognised during the GameStop trading frenzy that captivated global markets in 2021. Under his leadership, GameStop underwent a dramatic transformation from a struggling video game retailer into a profitable company focused on collectibles, trading cards, and digital commerce initiatives. Reports indicate that the company moved from heavy financial losses to profitability while closing hundreds of underperforming stores across the United States as part of a broader restructuring strategy.

The proposed acquisition of eBay is being viewed as Cohen’s most ambitious move yet, given that eBay remains significantly larger than GameStop in scale and global operations. Analysts believe Cohen may be attempting to reshape eBay into a stronger competitor against Amazon by combining marketplace commerce with GameStop’s growing focus on collectibles and enthusiast communities. However, financial experts also note that completing a deal of this size would require major shareholder backing and significant financing arrangements.

The takeover proposal has generated widespread online speculation, particularly because of Cohen’s reputation among retail investors and internet trading communities. Supporters view him as a disruptive entrepreneur capable of reinventing traditional companies, while critics question whether GameStop has the resources to absorb a company as large as eBay. Regardless of the outcome, the bid has once again placed Ryan Cohen at the centre of global business attention, reinforcing his status as one of the most closely watched figures in modern corporate finance and technology-driven retail transformation.

Also Read: IIT Delhi Study: Curbing Coal Plant SO₂ Emissions Could Prevent 1.24 Lakh Deaths Annually