Key facts
- YouTuber Markiplier, real name Mark Fischbach, said he would vote against GoPro's merger with Starman Optical.
- Fischbach stands to receive approximately $15 million from the merger terms.
- He is GoPro's largest external shareholder with an 8.5% stake.
- Fischbach expressed concern that the merger would shift GoPro away from its camera business.
- GoPro's founder and CEO, Nick Woodman, holds about 62% of the company's voting power.
YouTuber Markiplier, whose real name is Mark Fischbach, has publicly stated his opposition to GoPro's planned merger with Starman Optical, despite the deal potentially yielding him around $15 million. Fischbach, who runs a YouTube channel with nearly 40 million subscribers and is also a filmmaker, expressed disappointment with the merger, stating, "I would vote against the deal."
Fischbach became GoPro's largest external shareholder in July, acquiring an 8.5% stake. He built his position after learning about GoPro's new camera capabilities and his investment sparked a meme-stock rally. However, he voiced concerns that the merger with Starman Optical, which focuses on optical transceivers for AI data centers, would lead GoPro to abandon its core camera business. "I want this camera company to succeed," he said.
GoPro's stock closed at $1.42 per share on Wednesday. According to the merger terms, if the deal goes through, Fischbach would receive approximately $1.14 for each of his 13.5 million shares. Existing shareholders would retain about 10% of the company post-merger. Fischbach noted that he has no influence on the company and was unaware of the merger plans.
A GoPro spokesperson stated the company remains committed to investing in consumer and professional cameras, citing a letter from founder and CEO Nick Woodman emphasizing cameras as the company's "core DNA." Woodman holds about 62% of the company's voting power, meaning his support is crucial for the merger's approval.