In a bold move that could reshape the global music industry, billionaire investor Bill Ackman has made a $64 billion bid to acquire Universal Music Group (UMG).
The proposed transaction targets one of the world’s most influential music companies, home to global stars like Taylor Swift and Bad Bunny.
The offer, initiated through Ackman’s hedge fund, Pershing Square Capital Management, involves a cash-and-stock merger between Universal Music and Pershing Square SPARC Holdings, a special acquisition vehicle approved by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in 2023.
Details of the proposal show that Universal Music shareholders would receive €9.4 billion in cash, equivalent to €5.05 per share, alongside 0.77 shares in the newly formed entity for each UMG share held.
The total consideration places the company’s value at €30.40 per share, translating to an estimated €56 billion, or approximately $64 billion.
The combined company is expected to be headquartered in Nevada, with plans to move its stock listing from Amsterdam to the New York Stock Exchange, a strategic shift aimed at improving market visibility and unlocking greater shareholder value.
Ackman explained that the move is designed to correct what he described as a gap between Universal Music’s strong operational performance and its current market valuation.
Following the announcement, UMG shares rose by over 10 percent in Amsterdam, signalling positive investor sentiment towards the proposed deal.
The transaction is projected to be completed before the end of 2026, pending regulatory approvals and shareholder consent. Universal Music has yet to issue an official response.
The development comes amid ongoing strategic shifts involving Ackman, who exited UMG’s board in March 2025 after a three-year tenure that began shortly after the company’s public listing in 2021.
Beyond leadership changes, Universal Music has continued to expand its footprint in emerging markets, including Nigeria. In 2024, the company acquired a majority stake in Mavin Global Limited, the label founded by Don Jazzy, as part of its broader push into Africa.
Artists under the Mavin imprint, such as Rema and Ayra Starr, are already integrated into Universal Music’s global network, alongside other talents including Ladipoe, Johnny Drille, Crayon, Magixx, Bayanni, Boy Spyce, DJ Big N and Lifesize Teddy.
