GameStop (NYSE: GME) outlines Ryan Cohen ownership and large performance-based options
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
GameStop Corp. disclosed an updated ownership report from Ryan Cohen. He beneficially owns 41,082,626 shares of Class A common stock, including 3,734,784 shares underlying warrants, representing approximately 9.1% of the company’s shares based on 448,009,480 shares outstanding as of December 5, 2025 plus the warrant shares. The directly owned shares were purchased for about $106,851,057 using personal funds.
GameStop’s board granted Cohen a long-term performance award of nonqualified stock options for 171,537,327 shares at an exercise price of $20.66 per share, subject to stockholder approval at a planned special meeting in March or April 2026. The 10-year options are split into nine tranches that vest only if GameStop meets increasing market capitalization and cumulative performance EBITDA targets, up to $100 billion in market cap and $10 billion in cumulative performance EBITDA for full vesting. Cohen generally cannot sell shares from option exercises until two years after each exercise.
Cohen also holds 3,734,784 warrants from an October 2025 warrant dividend, each allowing purchase of one share at $32, expiring on October 30, 2026.
Positive
- Strong performance linkage in CEO equity award: The 171,537,327-share option grant vests only if GameStop reaches up to $100 billion in market capitalization and $10 billion in cumulative performance EBITDA, tying compensation to ambitious value and profitability milestones.
Negative
- Significant potential equity issuance overhang: If shareholders approve the 171,537,327 options at a $20.66 exercise price and performance targets are met, combined with existing warrants this could materially increase the number of shares outstanding.
Insights
Ryan Cohen’s stake rises with a very large, highly performance-based option package.
Ryan Cohen now reports beneficial ownership of 41,082,626 GameStop shares, including 3,734,784 shares underlying warrants, for about
The new long-term performance award covers 171,537,327 nonqualified stock options at an exercise price of
The award’s size creates substantial potential future issuance if hurdles are met and options exercised, and it sits alongside 3,734,784 existing warrants with a
FAQ
How many GameStop (GME) shares does Ryan Cohen currently beneficially own?
Ryan Cohen beneficially owns 41,082,626 shares of GameStop Class A common stock, including 3,734,784 shares underlying warrants. This represents approximately 9.1% of the shares based on 448,009,480 shares outstanding as of December 5, 2025 plus the warrant shares.
What is included in Ryan Cohens new GameStop performance option award?
The new award consists of 171,537,327 nonqualified stock options with a per-share exercise price of $20.66, granted on January 6, 2026. The options have a 10-year term and are divided into nine tranches, each vesting only if specific market capitalization and cumulative performance EBITDA hurdles are achieved.
Are Ryan Cohens new GameStop stock options already effective?
No. The option award is subject to stockholder approval. GameStop stockholders will be asked to approve the award at a special meeting expected in March or April 2026.
What performance targets must GameStop hit for Ryan Cohens options to fully vest?
For the award to fully vest, GameStop must reach a $100 billion market capitalization and achieve $10 billion in cumulative performance EBITDA. The first tranche requires a $20 billion market cap and $2.0 billion cumulative performance EBITDA, with each subsequent tranche adding $10 billion in market cap and $1 billion in cumulative performance EBITDA.
What restrictions apply to shares Ryan Cohen acquires from exercising GameStop options?
Ryan Cohen will generally not be permitted to sell or dispose of shares acquired upon option exercise until after the two-year anniversary of the applicable exercise date, adding a holding-period requirement to the award.
What GameStop warrants does Ryan Cohen hold and when do they expire?
Cohen holds 3,734,784 warrants from an October 7, 2025 distribution. Each warrant allows purchase of one share at a $32 cash exercise price, and the warrants expire at 5:00 p.m. New York City time on October 30, 2026.
How were Ryan Cohens existing GameStop shares acquired and at what cost?
The 37,347,842 shares directly owned by Ryan Cohen were bought with personal funds, which may include margin loans. The aggregate purchase price for these shares is approximately $106,851,057, excluding brokerage commissions.