Latino Group Urges California AG to Block Paramount-Warner Merger
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) has called on California Attorney General Rob Bonta to prevent Paramount Skydance's proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, valued at $111 billion. Under the leadership of President Roman Palomares and CEO Juan Proaño, LULAC argues that the merger would negatively impact Latino workers and businesses in Los Angeles, referencing previous mergers that marginalized Latino voices. An economic analysis forecasts a minimum loss of 4,500 jobs in Southern California. The merger has created a rift among Hollywood unions, with some advocating for a settlement while others are against it. Governor Gavin Newsom and others have urged Bonta, who subsequently canceled a mediation session. LULAC emphasizes that Latinos make up 40% of California's population, and Paramount previously laid off 2,000 employees following its 2025 merger.
Key facts
- LULAC sent a six-page letter to California Attorney General Rob Bonta urging him to block the Paramount-Warner merger.
- The proposed $111-billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery by Paramount Skydance is opposed by LULAC.
- At least 4,500 Southern California jobs would be lost, according to a Los Angeles County economic report.
- Latinos make up 40% of California's population and nearly half of Los Angeles County.
- Latino characters fill only 5% of speaking roles across 1,300 top-grossing films.
- Paramount laid off about 2,000 employees after its Skydance merger in August 2025.
- David Ellison has secured nearly $80 billion in debt financing, including $24 billion from Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds.
- The Directors Guild of America and IATSE seek a settlement, while the Writers Guild of America and Teamsters oppose the merger.
Entities
Artists
- David Ellison
- Larry Ellison
- Roman Palomares
- Juan Proaño
- David Zaslav
- Rob Bonta
- Gavin Newsom
- Karen Bass
- Xavier Becerra
Institutions
- League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)
- Paramount
- Skydance
- Warner Bros. Discovery
- Directors Guild of America
- International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE)
- Writers Guild of America
- Teamsters
- Motion Picture Association
- Los Angeles County
- Oracle
- S&P
- Fitch Ratings
Locations
- California
- Los Angeles
- Los Angeles County
- Southern California
- Hollywood
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Saudi Arabia
- Qatar
- Abu Dhabi