GME Stock: Ryan Cohen's $35 Billion Compensation Plan Hinges on $100B Market Cap

• according to company announcement.
• The performance-based award is divided into nine tranches, with each requiring specific market cap and EBITDA milestones as detailed in reports.
• Cohen will not receive any guaranteed salary, cash bonuses, or time-based stock awards, aligning his incentives with long-term shareholder value according to compensation details.
• Shareholders must approve the plan at a special meeting in March or April 2026 as reported.

GameStop (GME) has unveiled a groundbreaking compensation plan for CEO Ryan Cohen that ties his entire pay to the company's future performance. The $35 billion stock option award is contingent on achieving ambitious growth targets, including a tenfold increase in market capitalization. This high-risk, high-reward structure mirrors Elon Musk's Tesla compensation plan and places the company's future squarely on Cohen's leadership.

What Does Ryan Cohen's $35B Pay Package Mean for GME Stock?

The compensation plan is entirely at-risk. , but only if specific market cap and EBITDA targets are met per company announcement. , according to strategic analysis. This structure means Cohen only gets paid if GME stock delivers extraordinary growth.

The plan has sparked intense debate among investors. Some see it as a powerful motivator for Cohen to transform GameStop into a tech giant, . The vote at the 2026 shareholder meeting will be a key test of investor confidence.

How Will GME's Performance Targets Impact Shareholder Value?

Achieving the targets would create massive shareholder wealth. If Cohen hits the $100 billion market cap goal, GME stock would need to rise more than tenfold from current levels, as reported by financial analysis. The cumulative EBITDA target of $10 billion also implies a dramatic improvement in profitability, which could justify the valuation according to market analysis. That said, missing these goals could leave Cohen with nothing and signal that GameStop's transformation has stalled.

The plan's structure includes nine incremental hurdles. Each tranche vests only when both a market cap and an EBITDA target are achieved, ensuring that growth is balanced and sustainable as detailed in company documents. This design prevents a scenario where the stock price soars on speculation without underlying business improvements. For long-term investors, the milestones provide clear benchmarks to track GameStop's progress.