GameStop Pursues Sale of Canadian & French Operations Amidst CEO’s Complaints About ‘Wokeness’ and ‘DEI’

GameStop has announced that it is pursuing the sale of its Canadian and French operations — and some reports suggest that the CEO of the company is doing so because of complaints about “wokeness” and “DEI.”

In a press release dated Feb. 18, the popular video game store said it was selling off those foreign divisions “as part of its evaluation of its international assets.” No additional information about the sale was provided, and CEO Ryan Cohen did not release any statement to accompany the announcement.

However, according to CBC, Cohen posted a statement to X blaming “wokeness” and “DEI” for the sale: “Email M&A@gamestop.com if you’re interested in buying GameStop Canada or Micromania France. High taxes, Liberalism, Socialism, Progressivism, Wokeness and DEI included at no additional cost if you buy today!”

Email M&A@gamestop.com if you’re interested in buying GameStop Canada or Micromania France. High taxes, Liberalism, Socialism, Progressivism, Wokeness and DEI included at no additional cost if you buy today!

— Ryan Cohen (@ryancohen) February 18, 2025

In an emailed statement to the Daily Mail, however, Cohen appeared regretful of his poor choice of words. “The divestitures will enable GameStop to focus on other things,” he said. “The lucky buyer in Canada will get a poutine and a baguette in France. Sur Moi.”

Examining the GameStop CEO’s Statements: The Debate Over DEI and ‘Wokeness’

GameStop has become the latest company to put “DEI” (or diversity, equity, and inclusion) under fire, joining the ranks of Tractor Supply, McDonald’s, Target, and Pepsi. However, contrary to these companies’ assessments, DEI and “wokeness” are not bad things.

Despite common misconceptions, DEI initiatives are not intended to prioritize unqualified candidates based on race or gender. Rather, according to The Greenlining Institute, “DEI was created as a tool to address the inequitable impacts of institutions that for decades, explicitly barred people of color from access and opportunity, or were not built with people of color in mind. DEI is rooted in the understanding that without targeted resources and support for marginalized communities, institutions will continue to perpetuate historic inequities.”

Furthermore, while “wokeness,” is often used as a pejorative, its original intent is to acknowledge systemic inequalities and advocate for justice, according to StoryHeights. The concept challenges historical structures that have disproportionately benefited white men and calls for reforms to create a more equitable system.

What’s more, there is no clear evidence that GameStop has participated in DEI initiatives that have negatively impacted any specific demographic. According to data from Zippia, GameStop employs over 17,000 people, with 28% identifying as women and 72% as men. The most common ethnicity of these employees is white (59%), while 19% are Hispanic or Latino and 11% are Black.