Byron Allen Sues McDonald’s, Alleging Bias in Ad Spending
- Media owner says advertiser discriminates against his outlets
- Suit follows similar campaign at General Motors and others
This article is for subscribers only.
Two companies controlled by Byron Allen, the onetime stand-up comic who’s built one of the largest closely held media businesses in the U.S., sued McDonald’s Corp., claiming the fast-food giant is discriminating against Black-owned businesses.
The suit alleges the restaurant company has refused to advertise on some of Allen’s networks, although it does so on other White-owned channels. It says McDonald’s main ad agency hasn’t solicited bids for spots on the Weather Channel, the cable network Allen acquired in 2018. The suit is seeking $10 billion in damages.