Sony Music Group reportedly closed a sale related to the late “Rock With You” singer’s legendary catalog, which encompassed half of his publishing and recorded masters catalog.
In total, the assets were worth between $1.2 billion and $1.5 billion. Sony Music Group reportedly paid at least $600 million in the deal to claim its portion of the stake in Michael’s assets.
However, there was allegedly some pushback surrounding the deal from his mother, Katherine Jackson. Billboard reports that she attempted to stop the deal. This was because his executors, John Branca and John McClain, had appeared to privately go to Judge Mitchell Beckloff to get the green light for the deal. Katherine argued that it would “violate Michael’s wishes” and that the catalog’s valuation would still rise if the estate maintained its ownership.
Beckloff turned down the notion in April 2023 and permitted the deal to proceed. Katherine moved forward with an appeal, and on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024, a court ruling stated that Branca and McClain were not in the wrong for selling a portion of Michael’s assets to Sony Music Group.