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Welcome back to The Rainmaker, a private email about money, power, fame, and the legal system where they all collide. This week, I’m discussing handbags. Yes, seriously—never before has there been a case that delves into the difference between a suitcase and a handbag, but then again, there’s never been a competition cop like Lina Khan. And then, there’s a buzzworthy dispute over Birkin bags. I’ll get to that too.
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The Rainmaker

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Happy Monday, I’m Eriq Gardner.

Welcome back to The Rainmaker, a private email about money, power, fame, and the legal system where they all collide.

This week, I’m discussing handbags. Yes, seriously—never before has there been a case that delves into the difference between a suitcase and a handbag, but then again, there’s never been a competition cop like Lina Khan. And then, there’s a buzzworthy dispute over Birkin bags. I’ll get to that too. (P.S. If this email somehow found its way to you, here’s a good chance to subscribe to Puck.)

🚨🚨 Programming news: This will be the last edition of The Rainmaker as a stand-alone newsletter. Starting next week, I’ll be taking over the Tuesday edition of What I’m Hearing, Matt Belloni’s franchise focused on the business of Hollywood, entertainment, and media. I’ll also continue writing across other franchises, such as Dry Powder, our Wall Street private email. Don’t worry, we’ll automatically update your subscription settings, so you don’t have to do a thing.

Meanwhile, I’m deeply grateful for the brilliant Rainmaker subscribers with whom I’ve had the pleasure of exchanging emails and banter these past few years. My email is still Eriq@puck.news, so keep shooting me tips and feedback. I’ll be off for Memorial Day, and back in your inboxes the following week.

Let’s get started…

On the Docket
  • NCAA athletes’ billion-dollar blitz: This coming week could mark a pivotal moment for college sports as the NCAA board of governors convenes on Thursday to discuss potentially settling three major antitrust lawsuits from athletes over compensation. The proposed deal, as reported by various media outlets, is extremely ambitious: a...

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Haute Shots

Haute Shots
Lina Khan’s ivory tower antitrust outfit is going to war with the fashion industry under an untested legal theory that there is such a thing as the “accessible luxury handbag” market—and that Tapestry’s $8.5 billion merger with Capri will destroy it. Industry insiders say Khan doesn’t have a clue.

ERIQ GARDNER

ERIQ GARDNER
Three years into Joe Biden’s presidency, his neo-Brandeis antitrust brain trust has much to celebrate. From thwarting mergers like JetBlue-Spirit and Adobe-Figma to cracking down on noncompetes and junk fees, they’ve made Wall Street Journal op-ed writers apoplectic. For a victory lap this Tuesday, they’ll take center stage at the Anti-Monopoly Summit at the Westin Hotel in Washington, D.C., where the headliners will be Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter, chair of U.S. Council of Economic Advisers Jared Bernstein, and of course, F.T.C. chair Lina Khan. Attendees, if they have any sense of humor, might...

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FOUR STORIES WE’RE TALKING ABOUT

Trump Trial Fantasies

Trump Trial Fantasies
On the stakes of 45’s hush money trial.
JOHN HEILEMANN

Zuck’s Gambit

Zuck’s Gambit
Dissecting Meta’s plunge into A.I.
BARATUNDE THURSTON

CNN Magical Thinking

CNN Magical Thinking
A close look at Mark Thompson’s CNN resuscitation strategy.
DYLAN BYERS

$1B Art Flop

$1B Art Flop
Chronicling a topsy-turvy week for the art market.
MARION MANEKER
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Welcome back to The Rainmaker, a private email about money, power, fame, and the legal system where they all collide. This week, I’m discussing handbags. Yes, seriously—never before has there been a case that delves into the difference between a suitcase and a handbag, but then again, there’s never been a competition cop like Lina […]


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Welcome back to The Rainmaker, a private email about money, power, fame, and the legal system where they all collide. This week, I’m discussing handbags. Yes, seriously—never before has there been a case that delves into the difference between a suitcase and a handbag, but then again, there’s never been a competition cop like Lina […]
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Welcome back to The Rainmaker, a private email about money, power, fame, and the legal system where they all collide. This week, I’m discussing handbags. Yes, seriously—never before has there been a case that delves into the difference between a suitcase and a handbag, but then again, there’s never been a competition cop like Lina […]
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Welcome back to The Rainmaker, a private email about money, power, fame, and the legal system where they all collide. This week, I’m discussing handbags. Yes, seriously—never before has there been a case that delves into the difference between a suitcase and a handbag, but then again, there’s never been a competition cop like Lina […]
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Welcome back to The Rainmaker, a private email about money, power, fame, and the legal system where they all collide. This week, I’m discussing handbags. Yes, seriously—never before has there been a case that delves into the difference between a suitcase and a handbag, but then again, there’s never been a competition cop like Lina […]


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Welcome back to The Rainmaker, a private email about money, power, fame, and the legal system where they all collide. This week, I’m discussing handbags. Yes, seriously—never before has there been a case that delves into the difference between a suitcase and a handbag, but then again, there’s never been a competition cop like Lina […]
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Welcome back to The Rainmaker, a private email about money, power, fame, and the legal system where they all collide. This week, I’m discussing handbags. Yes, seriously—never before has there been a case that delves into the difference between a suitcase and a handbag, but then again, there’s never been a competition cop like Lina […]


Matthew Belloni • May 20, 2024
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Welcome back to The Rainmaker, a private email about money, power, fame, and the legal system where they all collide. This week, I’m discussing handbags. Yes, seriously—never before has there been a case that delves into the difference between a suitcase and a handbag, but then again, there’s never been a competition cop like Lina […]

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