GameStop CEO Pay Tied to Growth Targets
GameStop CEO pay is now performance-based with options tied to $100B market cap and $10B EBITDA, prompting a special-meeting vote and investor scrutiny.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Board converted CEO package to an all-performance award requiring shareholder approval.
- Grant covers 171,537,327 options at a $20.66 strike with steep vesting targets.
- Full vesting requires $100 billion market cap and $10 billion cumulative EBITDA.
HIGH POTENTIAL TRADES SENT DIRECTLY TO YOUR INBOX
Add your email to receive our free daily newsletter. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
GameStop Corp. tied CEO Ryan Cohen’s pay to ambitious growth targets by granting performance-based stock options that vest only if the company reaches major market-value and profit milestones. Shareholders will vote on the plan at a special meeting in March or April 2026.
Award Terms and Governance
On January 6, 2026, GameStop’s board granted Cohen stock options covering 171,537,327 shares with a $20.66 exercise price. The options will fully vest only if GameStop’s market capitalization hits $100 billion and it achieves $10 billion in cumulative performance core profit, measured by EBITDA, a proxy for operating profit.
The grant eliminates all guaranteed pay for Cohen—there is no salary, cash bonus, or time-based equity. His compensation is now entirely at risk, conditioned on meeting these milestones. The company said this structure aims to incentivize extraordinary growth and align the CEO’s interests with long-term stockholder value.
The award was disclosed in a regulatory filing and a company press release dated January 7, 2026. Shareholder approval is required at a special meeting scheduled for March or April 2026, making the vote a near-term governance event for investors. The company has not provided guidance on revenue, EBITDA, or timelines for achieving the vesting conditions.
