An appeals court in California has given the green light for the executors of Michael Jackson’s estate to proceed with the sale of his music catalogue to Sony Music Group. The transaction, which is estimated to fetch between $1.2 and $1.5 billion, is shaping up to be the largest valuation of an artist’s music assets in history.
The ruling, issued on August 21, rejected objections from Katherine Jackson, the iconic singer’s mother, who had sought to block the sale on the grounds that it would contravene her son’s wishes. Katherine argued that Jackson’s music catalogue, if kept intact, could significantly increase in value over time.
The court found that the estate’s executors, John Branca and John McClain, acted within the terms of Michael Jackson’s will in proceeding with the sale. “The musician granted the executors broad powers of sale, with no exceptions for the specific assets at issue in this case,” The court detailed in its decision, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The ruling reaffirmed that Michael Jackson’s intention was to allow the executors to sell any assets in the estate.
The transaction had to be approved by Judge Mitchell Beckloff, who had already allowed the deal with Sony Music earlier this year. Despite Katherine Jackson’s appeal, the appeals court upheld the validity of the sale, noting that “The proposed transaction is not a gift or distribution of the estate’s assets, but rather a sale of assets, in exchange for a significant monetary payment and an interest in a joint venture.”
Michael Jackson performs at the Super Bowl XXVII in Pasadena, Ca. during the halftime show, on January 31, 1993.
The case has also highlighted family tensions within the Jackson family. Earlier this year, Michael’s youngest son, Bigi ‘Blanket’ Jackson, challenged his grandmother in court, attempting to block her from using estate funds to fund her opposition to the Sony deal.
Since Michael Jackson’s death in 2009, his estate has faced numerous lawsuits and disputes. Jackson died due to a heart attack related to a propofol overdose administered by his personal physician, Conrad Murray, who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter. In June 2024, it was revealed that Jackson had left behind a debt in excess of $500 million, with over 65 creditor claims filed against his estate.
This is not the first episode of debt related to the King of Pop. In 2013, during Katherine Jackson’s negligence lawsuit against concert promoters AEG Live, it was revealed that the singer had a debt of $395 million at the time of his death. The complexity of Jackson’s finances and the multiple debts accumulated in his later years have complicated the administration of his estate, making this sale a crucial move in the resolution of his financial problems.
The appeals court’s decision ends a period of uncertainty regarding the future of Michael Jackson’s valuable musical catalogue and marks a new chapter in the management of his legacy.
