Overview
- The 12 state attorneys general led by California and the Writers Guild of America filed a joint opposition Monday asking Judge Araceli Martinez‑Olguin to deny Paramount Skydance’s request for roughly $1.88–1.9 billion in bond.
- Paramount seeks the bond under the Clayton Act to cover a 25‑cent‑per‑share ticking fee and financing costs that start Oct. 1 and amount to about $7 million a day while the deal remains delayed.
- The plaintiffs say Paramount voluntarily accepted the ticking fee and agreed to delay closing until the litigation resolves, so any delay costs are self‑inflicted and should not be shifted to states or the WGA.
- A hearing on Paramount’s bond motion is scheduled for Sept. 24 and a full merits trial over the $110–111 billion merger remains set for March 2, 2027, making those dates the next key legal milestones.
- Political and public pressure is growing: Hudson County and New Jersey officials have urged their AG to withdraw, while Hollywood actors and coalitions released a ‘no concessions’ video urging the state plaintiffs to press the case in court.