GameStop’s CEO expresses frustration over misunderstandings about his eBay acquisition plans.

The buzz surrounding GameStop’s plan to acquire eBay has left many scratching their heads. Sure, GameStop has a hefty cash reserve, and the move aligns with its pivot towards collectibles like Pokémon cards. But let’s be real—eBay is a much larger entity. So, what’s the deal?

GameStop’s CEO, Ryan Cohen, seems to think it’s pretty straightforward. In a recent chat with CNBC, he appeared visibly frustrated when pressed about the acquisition. Initially, the interview flowed well, but things took a turn when the host began digging deeper.

“Invariably … a lot of people are going to ask, how does the math, math, for you?” host Andrew Ross Sorkin inquired, pointing out that eBay’s $56 billion price tag dwarfs GameStop’s market cap. While acknowledging GameStop’s $20 billion financing letter from a bank, Sorkin noted that even with their cash reserves, they’d still be far from affording eBay.

Cohen, rolling his eyes, responded, “It’s on our website. It’s half cash, half stock. But the details are on our website.” Sorkin pressed for more clarity, emphasizing that the interview’s purpose was to inform, not redirect.

“We’ll see what happens,” Cohen replied, seemingly unfazed. The host, taken aback, attempted to lighten the mood with some humor but continued to seek a clearer answer. Cohen reiterated the half cash, half stock point, but never addressed the discrepancy between the figures and GameStop’s claims.

Becky Quick, another CNBC host, chimed in, suggesting that Cohen should understand the question better. Cohen simply stated he didn’t grasp the confusion and once again pointed viewers to the website.

YouTube comments on the interview were filled with disbelief. One viewer questioned the point of the interview if Cohen wasn’t willing to engage, while another called it a “trainwreck.”

The underlying truth, which Cohen can’t openly discuss, is that money is somewhat abstract in this context. The announcement alone could rally GameStop’s stock enthusiasts, who are convinced the company is on the verge of greatness. Similar to Elon Musk’s Twitter acquisition, it’s possible GameStop might leverage loans that would appear on eBay’s balance sheet. If Cohen succeeds in this bid, he could also unlock a $35 billion stock option payday.

Whatever the strategy may be, Cohen doesn’t feel the need to elaborate. For certain releases, fans can expect to pay 50% or more over the MSRP.