SAN JOSE, Calif. — EBay chief executive Meg Whitman is preparing to retire, the Wall Street Journal reported online Monday night.
John Donahoe, 47, president of eBay’s auction business unit, has emerged as the leading candidate to succeed her, the Journal reported, citing sources close to the situation.
EBay is to report fourth- quarter earnings today and recently warned Wall Street that it may alter how it structures listing and selling fees.
Spokesman Hani Durzy declined to comment Monday.
Whitman has led the Internet auctioneer since March 1998 but has delegated more daily responsibilities in recent months, the Journal said, citing people familiar with the matter. A decision could come in the next few weeks, the sources told the Journal.
Whitman, 51, who joined eBay after stints at Hasbro, FTD and Stride Rite, leaves at a crucial point. EBay’s auction business accounts for more than two-thirds of eBay’s nearly $6 billion in annual revenue but has experienced slowing growth rates in the past few years, the Journal reported.
