Sen. Elizabeth Warren is urging the FTC and DOJ to consider blocking Dick’s Sporting Goods’ acquisition of Foot Locker, citing concerns about job cuts, price increases, and reduced competition. The proposed $2.4 billion merger could create a duopoly in athletic shoes. The FTC under President Biden has taken a tough stance on mergers.

If the merger is approved, JD Sports and the combined Dick’s-Foot Locker entity would dominate the U.S. athletic shoe market. Warren warns this could harm smaller businesses and lead to anticompetitive behavior. Despite concerns, some experts believe the merger will likely be approved, with potential divestitures to maintain competition.

Under previous leadership, the Trump administration approved a deal blocked by Biden, but the stance on retail mergers under new leadership remains uncertain. Amanda Lewis, a former FTC official, believes the merger may not raise significant concerns given the companies’ market share. The future of the merger approval process remains to be seen.

Read more at CNBC: Warren asks FTC to consider blocking Dick’s-Foot Locker merger