GameStop’s NFT Strategy in Doubt: CEO Matt Furlong’s Exit, New Executive Chairman’s Arrival Coincide With Poor Q1 2023 Financial Results
In Brief
GameStop has fired CEO Matt Furlong and announced billionaire investor Ryan Cohen as executive chairman effective immediately.
The new appointment coincides with the release of GameStop’s Q1 2023 financial results.
The company suffered a net loss of $50.5 million for the period compared to a loss of $157.9 million for the prior year’s first quarter.
GameStop has ousted CEO Matt Furlong and announced billionaire investor Ryan Cohen as executive chairman, effective immediately. The new appointment coincides with the release of GameStop’s Q1 2023 financial results released on Wednesday. GameStop canceled its earnings call the same day.
The company did not provide a reason for Furlong’s termination, but he had a 24-month contract with GameStop that ended this week. In June 2021, Furlong assumed the role of CEO at GameStop, stepping in during a crucial phase for the struggling company. GameStop was in pursuit of a turnaround strategy following the memestock frenzy, which caused its shares to surge from $17.25 to $500 within a month.
GameStop has been seeing poor financial results over the past year, although the company suffered a net loss of $50.5 million for the period of Q1 2023, marking a significant improvement compared to a loss of $157.9 million for the prior year’s first quarter. However, net sales were $1.237 billion, down $1.378 billion in the year-ago period, according to the company’s Q1 2023 financial report.
As CEO, Furlong was responsible for GameStop’s NFT push as the company launched an NFT marketplace, a crypto and NFT wallet, as well as partnerships with Immutable X and LoopRing last year. GameStop’s NFT marketplace registered $2.5 million in transaction volume two days after it launched on July 11, 2022. Unfortunately, interest in the platform quickly waned as daily sales volume plummeted over 99% within months.
Recently, GameStop doubled down on its NFT initiatives as it joined forces with Telos Foundation for a web3 game launcher and partnered with Illuvium to launch a 20,000-piece NFT collection. With Furlong’s departure, the future of the company’s NFT strategy is now shrouded in uncertainty.
In 2020, GameStop’s new executive chairman, Ryan Cohen, made a strategic investment in the company. As part of the deal, Cohen was named to the board of directors. Through his investment firm, RC Ventures, Cohen currently possesses an 11.9% stake in GameStop.
GameStop’s shares plunged over 19% today after the leadership shakeup and the release of its latest financial report.
Read more:
- GameStop launches an NFT marketplace, offers $100 million grant for game developers
- GameStop strengthens its crypto presence by partnering with FTX
- GameStop announces the launch of an NFT and cryptocurrency wallet
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About The Author
Cindy is a journalist at Metaverse Post, covering topics related to web3, NFT, metaverse and AI, with a focus on interviews with Web3 industry players. She has spoken to over 30 C-level execs and counting, bringing their valuable insights to readers. Originally from Singapore, Cindy is now based in Tbilisi, Georgia. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communications & Media Studies from the University of South Australia and has a decade of experience in journalism and writing. Get in touch with her via [email protected] with press pitches, announcements and interview opportunities.
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Cindy is a journalist at Metaverse Post, covering topics related to web3, NFT, metaverse and AI, with a focus on interviews with Web3 industry players. She has spoken to over 30 C-level execs and counting, bringing their valuable insights to readers. Originally from Singapore, Cindy is now based in Tbilisi, Georgia. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communications & Media Studies from the University of South Australia and has a decade of experience in journalism and writing. Get in touch with her via [email protected] with press pitches, announcements and interview opportunities.
