Particle.news
Download on the App Store

GameStop Proposes All-or-Nothing $35 Billion Stock-Option Award for CEO Ryan Cohen

Shareholders will decide on the performance-only package at a special meeting this spring.

Overview

  • The proposal grants options to buy about 171.5 million shares at $20.66, split into nine tranches that vest only after escalating market value and cumulative performance EBITDA milestones.
  • Full vesting requires a $100 billion market capitalization and $10 billion in cumulative performance EBITDA, with the first tranche tied to $20 billion and $2 billion, respectively.
  • Cohen would receive no salary, cash bonuses, or time-vested equity, making his compensation entirely at risk and tied to long-term results.
  • A shareholder vote is expected in March or April 2026, and Cohen, who owns roughly 8.3% through RC Ventures, will recuse himself from the decision.
  • GameStop shares rose about 3%–4% in premarket trading as the company’s current value sits near $9.3 billion, while Reuters estimates the package could be worth nearly $35 billion before an estimated $3.5 billion in exercise costs, drawing comparisons to Tesla’s plan for Elon Musk.