David Ellison's Paramount wants its WBD merger challengers to put up nearly $1.9 billion

Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison wants California Attorney General Rob Bonta's state and its counterparts to post a bond to cover the merger delay costs. Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images; Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images Paramount Skydance wants the states and writers suing to stop its WBD deal to post a nearly $1.9 billion bond. David Ellison's company will owe about $7 million per day that the deal doesn't close, starting October 1. An entertainment lawyer said it's "very unlikely" that a judge will agree with Paramount's argument. David Ellison wants those challenging his Warner Bros. Discovery deal — including California and 11 other states — to be prepared to pay nearly $1.9 billion if they lose their lawsuit. Paramount Skydance's WBD acquisition is on pause after lawsuits from 12 states and the Writers Guild of America, which argued the deal is anticompetitive .