Paramount Skydance said Thursday it is launching a syndication to raise $7.5 billion through a proposed senior secured incremental tranche of term ā€œBā€ loans. The David Ellison-led company it will use the funds toward its $111 billion Warner Bros. Discovery merger, and to pay down certain other debt.

In total, Paramount said it now intends to raise approximately $44.4 billion of additional secured debt, in addition to the Incremental Term B Facility and previously announced financings (subject to market and other conditions).

ā€œParamount intends to utilize the net proceeds of these borrowings, together with cash on hand and the net proceeds of the previously announced equity financing, to finance the purchase price for its previously announced acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. and the repayment of certain existing debt.ā€