The merger of T-Mobile and Sprint could lead to as many as 24,000 job losses in the retail sector, according to an industry group representing independent phone store owners.

The $26 billion deal, blocked last year by attorneys general from 12 states and Washington, D.C., because of antitrust concerns, was approved Tuesday by a New York judge. It still needs the approval of the California Public Utilities Commission.

As part of the deal, T-Mobile and Sprint have pledged to protect jobs, lower prices for consumers, and improve coverage and speeds. But, while both companies may be able to keep their promise not to trim any of their own staff, many phone stores are staffed independently — which could mean layoffs in the range of 24,000, said Adam Wolf, president of the National Wireless Independent Dealer Association, which represents owners of phone stores.

More at NBC News.