Pink Floyd is reportedly in the final stages of selling their legendary music catalog to Sony Music, with a potential deal worth up to $500 million. The sale comes amid ongoing internal disputes, especially around Roger Watersโ controversial political views, which have long complicated negotiations.
After years of speculation, it appears that Pink Floyd may finally be on the verge of selling their iconic music catalog.
According to recent reports from the Financial Times, Sony Music is in advanced negotiations to acquire the bandโs catalog, with the potential sale rumored to be in the range of $400 to $500 million.
Although neither Sony Music nor Pink Floydโs representatives have commented on the matter, the secrecy surrounding the deal has only fueled anticipation.
If the purchase goes through at this price point, it suggests that recent controversies surrounding Roger Watersโ political statements havenโt significantly impacted the catalogโs value.
A lower figure would have implied a diminished worth, possibly due to the ongoing public and internal conflicts within the band.
Negotiations for the sale reportedly began back in 2022 but were derailed by tensions among the band's members, particularly those sparked by Watersโ divisive comments on Israel and the war in Ukraine.
David Gilmour, Pink Floydโs guitarist, openly supported his wife Polly Samsonโs harsh criticism of Waters earlier this year, where she accused him of being โanti-Semitic to [his] rotten core.โ Waters quickly responded, calling the accusations โincendiaryโ and โwildly inaccurate.โ
Despite the acrimony, Gilmour has expressed a desire to move past these disputes. Speaking to Rolling Stone earlier this month, he shared his eagerness to see the catalog deal finalized, describing it as a means of escaping the internal strife that has plagued the band for years. โTo be rid of the decision-making and the arguments that are involved with keeping it going is my dream,โ Gilmour said, alluding to the exhausting nature of the ongoing conflicts.
While Sony has been tight-lipped about this potential acquisition, the company has been on a buying spree in recent years, snapping up high-profile catalogs from music legends like Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen.
However, if this deal closes, Sony may come under scrutiny for its financial backing of Waters, whose recent statements have been polarizing.
Aside from Sony, other big players like Hipgnosis, BMG, and Warner Music were also vying for Pink Floyd's catalog in 2022.
However, internal leadership changes within these companies, as well as BMGโs decision to sever ties with Waters over his political rhetoric, have since complicated their ability to close the deal.
If completed, this sale could mark the end of an era for Pink Floyd, and possibly bring some closure to the long-standing friction within the group.
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