GameStop is considering withdrawing its proposed $56 billion bid to acquire eBay, according to people familiar with the matter cited by multiple outlets. The reconsideration comes after eBay rejects the offer as not credible or attractive, according to reporting that includes eBay’s prior response.
Across the coverage, Bloomberg and others say Ryan Cohen is instead weighing an alternative approach, potentially proposing a partnership or joint venture rather than an outright takeover. One reported focus is leveraging GameStop’s roughly 1,600 U.S. stores to help eBay gain physical retail presence, while both companies expand in higher-margin categories such as collectibles and trading cards.
Some outlets also note that GameStop currently holds a minority stake in eBay, and that the original bid was structured as a mix of cash and GameStop stock. Other commentary highlights uncertainty about how any full acquisition would be financed and whether eBay would benefit meaningfully from a store-access partnership, but those assessments are presented as views or doubts rather than confirmed deal terms.
