Monopoly, the great family divider, the friendship breaker, the grudge machine of our generation but also, a truly terrifying real-world phenomenon that has resulted in some horrific immoral acts.

On the more devastating side, the monopoly of the Dutch East Indian Company (VOC) on nutmeg resulted in the massacre and enslavement of the Bandanese – a population of 15 000 people crushed down to 1 000 survivors.

While governing the Cape Colony, the VOC shipped in 25 000 slaves from Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Madagascar to maintain their hold on the shipping lane between Europe and the Far East, committing egregious atrocities and institutionalising race-based systems that South Africa still grapples with today.

More recently, De Beers held a near perfect monopoly on the diamond trade, controlling up to 85% of distribution. During the 2000s, the company was found guilty of price fixing and manipulation.

Throughout their history, De Beers would flood, withhold and stockpile diamonds within the markets of competitors to cripple any opposition. In Botswana, they have been accused of genocide, while allegations of trading in blood diamonds were fuelling wars in Africa abound.

For most of the 20th century, De Beers controlled those orange and red squares, so to speak, and was the bank, dictating the play and any underhanded transactions and tactics.

Now think on the decline in quality of TV shows due to the streaming monopoly enjoyed by Netflix, and the immense power Disney has over the entertainment industry. Or the lack of access to sport, unless you have a DStv subscription. We have less choices but pay more.

Some might argue that sport cannot be a monopoly in the purest sense, but then I look at Indian cricket and my understanding of the term, and that both certainly align. According to statistics, cricket will generate $3.84 billion in revenue in 2025, of which Indian cricket will account for about $2.38bn.

Makes sense. They are by far the largest consumers of the sport.

But that’s about 62% of all revenue, a similar market share that De Beers enjoyed while it was winding down in the Noughties. That market share is expected to only grow in the coming years. The IPL, meanwhile, is valued at $11bn, while they control interests in the SA20, America’s Major League Cricket, the Caribbean Premier League and the less prestigious International League T20.