Country star Garth Brooks, 64, is reportedly exploring a sale of his music catalog that could fetch up to about $2 billion—an amount that would place it among the biggest deals for an individual artist.
When Garth Brooks talks about his music career, he does it like a man who believes the past still has value—just not in a way he has to hand over quietly.
Now, the country icon is reportedly weighing an exit from the business side of that legacy. Brooks. 64. is seeking up to about $2 billion for his hits-packed music catalog in a deal that could rank among the largest sales for an individual artist. according to The Wall Street Journal. The report, published Tuesday, June 2, cited people familiar with the matter.
The catalog sale is drawing attention for two reasons at once: the sheer size of the number being floated, and what it would include. The Wall Street Journal said the potential transaction would cover both Brooks’ songwriting and recorded music rights.
Brooks has publicly denied recent sexual assault allegations made against him by a former hairstylist and makeup artist. The controversy has landed alongside the business conversation about monetizing his catalog.
Brooks’ interest in valuation has been anything but small. The Wall Street Journal reported that he has recently discussed valuations ranging from $1 billion to over $2 billion with potential investors, without identifying them.
That price tag sits in the same marketplace where major rights deals have moved at a rapid clip. Sony Group Corporation has been an active buyer of music rights. In 2021, Sony acquired Bruce Springsteen’s entire catalog in a deal previously said to be worth $500 million. The company was also reported in 2024 to have bought Queen’s catalog in a £1 billion (approximately $1.3 billion) deal.
Brooks’ catalog, built over decades, is vast on paper. The Recording Industry Association of America says Brooks has sold more than 200 million units in the U.S. The tally tops the sales of stars including Beyoncé. Ye (formerly known as Kanye West). Elvis Presley and fellow country singer Luke Combs.
For fans, the name carries instant recognition. Brooks’ hits include “The Dance,” “Friends in Low Places” and “The River.” His industry standing is also backed by major honors: a pair of Grammy Awards, a Kennedy Center Honor and the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize.
The question now is what happens if the figure being floated turns from report to contract. After all, Brooks has also been thinking about his own next chapter. The news arrives a year after he concluded his Garth Brooks/Plus One residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.
In a 2024 interview about wrapping up the residency and his career future. Brooks discussed how he views time and the people around him. “If there was a guy who said I’ll do this the rest of my life. it would be me. ” Brooks said. praising the longtime camaraderie of his band and crew. He also described team life—“We have team dinners; we usually go shopping or to Topgolf. It’s a good family full of good people”—and reflected on how he avoids drama. “Around 40 years ago. I said life is too short for [jerks]. so if you’re around people you love. who care if you’re stuck in a traffic jam. you’re blessed.”.
In the same period that he has spoken about family and loyalty, he’s also reportedly been discussing a range that could place his music catalog sale among the biggest ever for a single artist—up to about $2 billion.
Separately, USA TODAY could not immediately verify the report and reached out to Brooks’ representatives for comment.
Garth Brooks music catalog sale Sony Wall Street Journal music rights songwriting rights recorded music rights catalog valuation Recording Industry Association of America Bruce Springsteen catalog Queen catalog Caesars Palace residency
So he’s selling his songs for like $2 billion?? That’s insane.
I mean if he denies the allegations, good for him, but this catalog sale thing feels kinda weird like money talk after drama. Also isn’t songwriting rights basically just him still owning everything? idk how any of that works.
Wait so $2 billion would include both recorded music and songwriting rights? That sounds like the whole package like they’d control who can use his songs forever. Kinda like he’s letting Sony or whoever take over the legacy. I just don’t get why it’s even worth that much when streaming pays pennies.
This whole thing is gonna make people mad because it’s like he’s brushing off the assault claims with a business move. But at the same time, everybody buys catalogs now so maybe it’s just normal. I swear I read he sold something already though? Or maybe that was someone else. Either way, $2 billion sounds fake, like Wall Street Journal trying to hype clicks.