After years of delays and internal disputes, iconic British rock band Pink Floyd has agreed to sell their recorded music rights and name-and-likeness rights to Sony Music in a deal valued at approximately $400 million, Variety reported citing sources. The transaction, one of the largest in recent times, marks the end of a lengthy period of infighting between the band’s key members.
The deal includes Pink Floyd’s recorded-music catalog but notably excludes songwriting rights, which remain with individual members. Also covered are name-and-likeness rights, opening opportunities for future merchandising, theatrical productions, and other commercial uses. While Pink Floyd is known for keeping a low personal profile, it’s expected that much of the band’s iconic album artwork—mainly designed by the British firm Hipgnosis—will be part of the package.
Neither Sony nor representatives of the band members—Roger Waters, David Gilmour, drummer Nick Mason, and the estates of keyboardist Richard Wright and original singer-songwriter Syd Barrett—have commented on the deal publicly. However, the Financial Times first reported on the sale, and sources close to the situation have since confirmed its conclusion.
With a catalog featuring landmark albums like The Dark Side of the Moon, The Wall, Wish You Were Here, and Animals, Pink Floyd’s music rights are highly valuable. Over the last few years, Sony has invested significantly in other major music catalogs, including those of Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, and Queen (excluding North American rights). These acquisitions have come with backing from investment firms like Eldridge Industries, but Sony has traditionally refrained from commenting on such deals publicly.
The Pink Floyd catalog had been on the market for several years, with an initial asking price of around $500 million. A deal almost materialized in 2022 but was derailed by ongoing conflicts within the band—primarily due to Waters’ controversial political remarks. Waters’ outspoken views on Israel, Ukraine, and his support for Russia have stirred considerable controversy, making him a divisive figure. His comments have alienated many, and he lost his solo record deal with BMG over his political stance.
Despite the band nearing a deal in 2022, these issues, along with rising interest rates and economic factors like the declining value of the British pound, caused previous negotiations to collapse. Waters’ incendiary statements, particularly his comparisons of Israel to Nazi Germany and his defense of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as “not unprovoked,” led to several suitors stepping back from the deal. His comments have sparked widespread criticism, including from within the band itself. Polly Samson, Gilmour’s wife, famously tweeted, “You are anti-Semitic to your rotten core,” to which Gilmour added, “Every word demonstrably true.” Waters dismissed these accusations as “incendiary and wildly inaccurate.”
In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Gilmour admitted his motivation for supporting the sale was less about the financial windfall and more about removing himself from the constant friction within the group. “To be rid of the decision making and the arguments that are involved with keeping it going,” Gilmour said, “that’s my dream.”
Pink Floyd’s catalog had attracted interest from multiple major companies, including Hipgnosis, Warner Music, and BMG. However, leadership changes at these firms, along with Waters’ divisive comments, played a role in derailing previous negotiations. BMG dropped Waters from its roster earlier this year, further complicating matters.
Caught between the disputes is Nick Mason, the band’s drummer, who expressed his dismay at the ongoing conflict. “It’s really disappointing these rather elderly gentlemen are still at loggerheads,” Mason said in 2018. With the deal now finalized, Sony has secured the rights to one of the most significant catalogs in rock history. However, it remains to be seen how the band’s political controversies will affect the long-term reception of this high-profile acquisition.
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