PE-Backed Boat-Selling Platform Accused of Monopolizing Market

Boats Group LLC, a private equity-backed operator of boat sales and marketing platforms, was sued Thursday in federal court with claims it monopolizes its market.

Plaintiff Brill Maritime Inc. alleges that Boats Group’s conduct was illegal, forcing it to “pay supracompetitive prices for essential marketing services, with effectively zero viable alternatives available,” in a proposed class action filed in the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

Boats Group was acquired in 2021 by Permira, a private equity firm with other investments that include health-care and technology companies.

Federal agencies and parties to private litigation have increasingly scrutinized ...