Country icon Garth Brooks eyes $2 billion sale of music catalog

Garth Brooks has sold millions of records over the course of his decadeslong career, and he may be looking to cash in on his legacy of hits.

The Grammy-winning country music icon is reportedly exploring the sale of his music catalog. According to The Wall Street Journal, Brooks, 64, is seeking up to about $2 billion in a deal that could rank among the largest for an individual artist, the outlet reported on Tuesday, June 2, citing people familiar with the matter.

USA TODAY could not immediately verify the report and has reached out to Brooks' representatives for comment.

The potential transaction would include both his songwriting and recorded music rights, the Journal's report noted. Brooks has recently discussed valuations ranging from $1 billion to over $2 billion with potential investors, the outlet added, without identifying the investors.

Sony Group Corporation has been an active buyer of music rights. In 2021, the conglomerate acquired Bruce Springsteen's entire catalog in a deal Billboard previously said was worth $500 million. Sony was also reported in 2024 to have bought rock band Queen's catalog in a £1 billion (approximately $1.3 billion) deal.

Brooks has sold more than 200 million units in the U.S., according to the Recording Industry Association of America. The whopping tally tops the sales of other music superstars such as Beyoncé, Ye (formerly known as Kanye West), Elvis Presley and fellow country singer Luke Combs.

Brooks, known for hits including "The Dance," "Friends in Low Places" and "The River," has racked up several accolades throughout his illustrious career, including a pair of Grammy Awards, a Kennedy Center Honor and the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize.

The news of Brooks' potential catalog sale comes a year after the singer concluded his Garth Brooks/Plus One residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

Brooks reflected on wrapping up the residency and his career future in a 2024 interview with USA TODAY.

"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.

"We have team dinners; we usually go shopping or to Topgolf. It's a good family full of good people," Brooks added. "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."

Contributing: Melissa Ruggieri and Edward Segarra, USA TODAY