# Does MJ still own Sony? - Canonical: https://33rdsquare.com/does-mj-still-own-sony/ - Published: 2023-10-23 - Author: Nelson Ayers - Categories: [Business & Worth](https://33rdsquare.com/category/games/worth/) --- No, Michael Jackson does not still own any part of Sony or its music publishing division Sony/ATV today. While he co-owned Sony/ATV with Sony for over 10 years until his death in 2009, the Jackson estate sold its remaining 50% stake to Sony in 2016 for $750 million. ## How Jackson Originally Acquired the Beatles‘ Catalog Jackson‘s acquisition of what became Sony/ATV traces back to 1985, when he paid over $40 million to purchase ATV Music Publishing according to [nytimes.com](https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/15/business/dealbook/sony-agt-michael-jackson-estate.html). This gave him control of most of the Lennon/McCartney song catalog from the Beatles, a crown jewel of music publishing rights. The purchase followed an offhand tip from Paul McCartney years earlier about the value of music publishing. Despite McCartney‘s own interest in the catalog, Jackson‘s offer was accepted in 1985. This shocked McCartney and strained their relationship for years. ## The Creation of the Sony/ATV Joint Venture In 1995, Michael Jackson and Sony formed Sony/ATV Music Publishing as a joint venture. This merged Jackson‘s ATV catalog with Sony‘s own publishing arm Sony Music Publishing according to [billboard.com]([https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/](https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/) timeline-of-michael-jacksons-sony-atv-music-publishing-tenure-6617319/). Sony paid Jackson $110 million up front for a 50% stake, valuing the company at over $2 billion. At the time, the deal was hailed as mutually beneficial. It gave Sony half of ATV‘s Beatles songs and Jackson a huge source of long-term cash flow. The merger made Sony/ATV one of the largest music publishers, owning or administering over 400,000 songs. Beyond the Beatles, these included hits from Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Taylor Swift, and more top acts. ## Sony Eventually Buys Jackson‘s Remaining Stake When Michael Jackson died in 2009, his estate retained his 50% share of Sony/ATV, which Sony continued to manage. In 2016, Sony acquired that remaining half from Jackson‘s estate for $750 million according to [forbes.com]([https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2016/03/15/sony-buys-michael-jacksons](https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2016/03/15/sony-buys-michael-jacksons)– half-of-sonyatv-for-750-million/?sh=337e891e5731). The deal valued Sony/ATV at $1.5 billion. It came after years of complex negotiations between Sony and Jackson‘s estate executors. For Sony, taking full ownership consolidated its music publishing assets. For Jackson‘s estate, it unlocked significant value while retaining other assets. ## Jackson‘s Estate Still Profits from His Own Hits Although it no longer owns Sony/ATV, the [Jackson estate](https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2020/10/08/michael-jacksons-tops-forbes-list-of-top-earning-dead-celebrities/?sh=3b0c0b3c5d33) still owns Jackson‘s own music publishing company MiJac. This includes his hits like "Beat It," "Billie Jean," and "Thriller" which remain highly profitable. MiJac also owns Jackson‘s master recordings. Forbes estimated MiJac generates about $60 million annually for the estate. So while no longer a Sony co-owner, Jackson‘s music still earns tens of millions. ## Other Major Catalog Acquisitions by Sony Beyond Jackson‘s catalog, Sony has acquired rights to many other bestselling artists in recent years: - **Bruce Springsteen:** Sold his masters and publishing to Sony in 2022 for $500 million - **Bob Dylan:** Sold his entire recording catalog to Sony in 2022 for around $200 million - **Stevie Nicks:** Sold an 80% stake in her song catalog to Sony in 2021 for an estimated $100 million Sony also owns Simon & Garfunkel‘s publishing and master recording rights, as well as catalogs from Motley Crue, The Chainsmokers, Pharrell Williams, and many others. These deals give Sony control over both publishing and recording income streams. ## Music Catalogs as Billion-Dollar Assets Sony is not the only music giant scooping up catalogs. Others like Hipgnosis Songs Fund, Primary Wave, and BMG Rights Management have also made high-profile acquisitions. This has created a boom in music rights sales, with catalogs increasingly treated as an asset class according to [nytimes.com](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/19/business/music-catalog-sales.html). Total catalog sales topped $5 billion in 2021 as the acquisitions frenzy continues. Sony appears poised to remain at the forefront, and MICHAEL Jackson‘s deal with Sony helped kick-start this trend decades ago. ## The Outlook for Newer Artists For newer artists, this consolidation of rights by major companies presents a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it can provide stable long term income through sale of their catalogs. But it also means their work can end up owned by large corporations. Striking the right balance between retaining ownership and benefiting financially is a complex equation. The involvement of Sony and other majors has inflated catalog values, but may also restrict future flexibility for artists. ## Jackson‘s Enduring Musical Legacy Even years after his death, MICHAEL Jackson‘s singular catalog continues to mint money and his estate benefited tremendously from the appreciation of music rights. In 2022, Forbes named Jackson the year‘s highest paid deceased celebrity with $115 million in annual earnings. His songs remain cultural staples, and he is considered one of the most influential artists of all time. While no longer attached to Sony, Jackson‘s work continues to have an enormous impact on both music and the entertainment business as a whole. His legacy seems unlikely to diminish anytime soon. --- Source: [Does MJ still own Sony?](https://33rdsquare.com/does-mj-still-own-sony/)