Paramount employees are more focused on job security around the company's $110 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery than on reports that David Ellison is weighing a move out of California. Nine employees who spoke with Business Insider said a headquarters shift either seemed unlikely or mattered less because they are based elsewhere, while the paused deal has direct implications for staffing and finances. The merger was halted by an antitrust case (competition-law lawsuit) from 12 states, and one employee said the delay brought a "small sigh of relief" because they feel "mostly secure" until at least March, when the trial is scheduled to begin, even as they are "trying to come up with Plan B, just in case." Ellison has told Paramount's leadership he is considering Tennessee, Texas, Georgia or another location if California AG Rob Bonta does not negotiate a settlement by October. Makan Delrahim, the company's chief legal officer, said leaked internal discussions showed Paramount is "certainly at the point where we are considering those factors," while LightShed Partners analyst Rich Greenfield described the idea as a pressure tactic. Staff concerns are centered more on the merger's fallout, including a roughly $7 million per day fee after September 30 if the deal does not close and a $7 billion breakup fee (payment if a deal fails), both of which some employees fear could deepen financial strain.