T-Mobile-Sprint merger deal approaches next hurdles

Opponents of the T-Mobile-Sprint merger are piling on the deal in the hopes of convincing a judge the Justice Department’s settlement isn’t good enough. The DOJ’s agreement with the wireless companies has to receive final sign-off from Judge Timothy Kelly of the DC District Court, and critics want to make it a tough decision. Historically, the federal court review of a merger settlement has been an uneventful affair. But US District Court Judge Richard Leon — who stymied the DOJ's attempt to block the AT&T-Time Warner merger — also raised concerns this year about the DOJ’s consent decree in the CVS-Aetna merger and held a hearing before ultimately allowing it. Merger opponents are hoping the DOJ’s settlement will get similar scrutiny.