Sting joins the growing list of singer-songwriters who have sold their publishing to major publishing companies.
The awarded singer-songwriter reached a deal with Universal Music Group. The company now owns the songs he wrote for The Police and his solo career.
“While financial terms weren’t disclosed, the deal is believed to be worth an estimated $ 250 million. The agreement covers Sting’s entire output as a songwriter,” Rolling Stone reports.
These includes the hits from The Police such as “Every Breath You Take,” “Every Little She Does Is Magic,” “Message In A Bottle,” to solo highlights that include “Englishman In New York,” “If I Ever Lose My Faith In You” and “Shape Of My Heart” among others.
Universal Music Group also has ownership of the recorded masters of The Police and Sting, to go alongside its recent acquisition of Sting's publishing.
“It is absolutely essential to me that my career’s body of work have a home where it is valued and respected. Not only to connect with longtime fans in new ways but also to introduce my songs to new audiences, musicians, and generations,” Sting said in a statement.
“I could never have imagined that someday I would get to lead a company that will be the guardian of Sting’s’ remarkable songwriting legacy,” Universal Music Chairman & CEO Jody Gerson said, adding “Every one of us at UMPG looks forward to this work with a sense of honor, responsibility, and enormous excitement about what we can achieve for his music in the future.”