Sting sold his entire songwriting catalog to the Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) for roughly $300 million, the group announced Thursday.
The catalog includes Sting’s hits with The Police such as “Every Breath You Take,” “Roxanne” and “Message In a Bottle,” as well as his solo work, like the song “If You Love Somebody Set Them Free.” The agreement unites Sting’s song catalog under the same roof as his recorded catalog with Universal Music Group (UMG), according to the press release. It will ultimately allow his work to be placed in films, television shows and commercials by the world’s largest music company.
Sting said the agreement will help “to connect with longtime fans in new ways” and bring his songs to “new audiences, musicians and generations.”
It’s with great excitement that we welcome Sting’s acclaimed song catalog to the UMPG family. ❤️
We are thrilled to work with Sting to further build his vast audience reach and strengthen the impact of his song catalog which includes everything from the Police to his solo work. pic.twitter.com/6drTSj9eqc
— Universal Music Publishing Group (@UMPG) February 10, 2022
“It is absolutely essential to me that my career’s body of work have a home where it is valued and respected,” the legendary musician said in a statement. (RELATED: Bob Dylan Sells Publishing Rights Of Entire Catalog Of Music To Universal Music Group In Reported $300M Deal)
“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. 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,” UMPG chairman and CEO Jody Gerson said in a statement.
The 17-time Grammy Award winner’s deal follows other recent major catalog and music right sales. In 2021, David Bowie’s estate sold his music catalog to Warner Chappell Music for $250 million. Bruce Springsteen’s entire catalog was purchased by Sony in December for about $550 million.