Sting sells entire music catalogue to Universal Music Group in multi-million dollar deal

Universal Music Group has announced that they have purchased Sting's entire back catalogue in a multi-million dollar deal today.

The deal includes both copyright and royalty rights to all of Sting's solo career, as well as well-known Police hits such as 'Roxanne' and 'Every Breath You Take'.

Although an exact figure has not been announced, the New York Times is reporting an estimated sum of over $250 million.

Sting is the latest musician to sell their musical catalogue after the likes of Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan completed similar deals last year with Sony and Universal, respectively.

"I am delighted to have Jody and the team at UMPG curate and manage my song catalog," said Sting in a press release about the deal.

"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. Throughout my career, I have enjoyed a long and successful relationship with UMG as my label partner, under the watchful guidance of Lucian, so it felt natural to unite everything in one trusted home, as I return to the studio, ready for the next chapter."

Sir Lucian Grainge, Chairman & CEO of Universal Music Group, said that he's "had the privilege to work with Sting for over 20 years and I'm so thrilled to expand our relationship to now include music publishing. Sting is a songwriting genius whose music permeates global culture. We are honored that by choosing UMPG for his music publishing, Sting's entire body of work as a songwriter and recording artist — from the Police to his solo work — will all be within the UMG family. It's a responsibility we don't take lightly as well as a great validation of what we have built for artists at UMG."