GameStop’s ambitious plan to purchase eBay has been officially rejected by the online auction marketplace. The company raised several concerns, with its primary one being how GameStop would plan to fund its proposal to purchase eBay for $56 billion–especially when GameStop itself only has $9.4 billion in assets.
The eBay board of directors ultimately decided that GameStop’s proposal was neither „credible nor attractive,“ citing that the company in its current setup is more than capable of delivering „long-term value“ for its shareholders. Essentially, eBay is doing just fine business-wise and doesn’t need to entertain a buyout offer from GameStop.
„We have taken into account such factors as 1) eBay’s standalone prospects, 2) the uncertainty regarding your financing proposal, 3) the impact of your proposal on eBay’s long-term growth and profitability, 4) the leverage, operational risks, and leadership structure of a combined entity, 5) the resulting implications of these factors on valuation, and 6) GameStop’s governance and executive incentives,“ eBay chairman Paul Pressler wrote in response to GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen’s offer.