SYRACUSE, N.Y. — eBay, Inc. (NASDAQ: EBAY) says it plans to close the Syracuse office of TCGplayer, eliminate about 220 jobs, and move the operations to Kentucky.
TCGplayer operates at 440 S. Warren St. in Syracuse. San Jose, California–based eBay specializes in global commerce.
“We are constantly evaluating our authentication capabilities and logistics footprint to ensure we are offering best-in-class service to our customers. As a result, TCGplayer is closing its Syracuse Authentication Center to consolidate operations within an eBay logistics center in Kentucky,” a company spokesperson said. “This was a difficult decision. We recognize the near-term impact it will have on our employees, their families and the Syracuse community, and we are dedicated to taking care of our people during this transition.”
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eBay also noted in its response to CNYBJ that the decision was “not a reflection of the incredible work of our team, and was made only after carefully exploring every available alternative to right-size the business.”
The company went on to say the Syracuse office won’t be closing immediately. eBay is implementing a transition period to allow for a “proper” wind down of operations.
eBay Inc. on Oct. 31, 2022 announced it had completed its acquisition of TCGplayer for a total deal value of up to about $295 million. In that announcement, the company described TCGplayer as a “trusted marketplace for collectible card game enthusiasts.”
Chedy Hampson, who co-founded the company that evolved into TCGplayer in 2008, stepped down from his role as CEO in March 2023, a few months after eBay had acquired the company.
City auditor reaction
In response to the eBay announcement, Syracuse City Auditor Alexander Marion issued a statement calling it “an offensive decision that amounts to union busting.”
“The incredible workers of TCG Player have been a key reason behind the growth of downtown Syracuse. In addition to being good neighbors, they have also been fighting to organize. This move not only throws those more than 200 workers out of a job, but it shuts down their efforts to organize,” Marion said in a statement issued Thursday afternoon. “This union busting move stands in direct contradiction to values we hold dear in Syracuse — honoring the right to organize, respecting our workers, and giving everyone the opportunity to advance. Shame on eBay for using Syracuse for nothing more than advancing their greedy corporate efforts.”
Marion went on to say, “As Auditor, I would also note TCG Player is the recipient of a generous public benefit package from Empire State Development to create jobs. In light of this anti-worker decision, I’m calling on the state to review these disbursements and claw back any funds which supported efforts not following program requirements.”
