Bill Ackman - CMU | the music business explained

Bill Ackman wants to buy Universal Music and put “psychopath” Epstein associate Michael Ovitz in charge

public

Universal Music • 7 min read

Bill Ackman wants to buy Universal Music and put “psychopath” Epstein associate Michael Ovitz in charge

Controversial hedge fund manager Bill Ackman wants to buy Universal Music. His plan: load UMG with debt, sell its Spotify stake, and put a man named in the Epstein files in as chair. Lucian Grainge could make tens of millions from the deal, but Universal’s superstar artists might have other ideas…

Sam Taylor • 07 Apr 2026

As big money calls the shots at Universal Music: is Lucian losing control?

public

Lucian Grainge • 6 min read

As big money calls the shots at Universal Music: is Lucian losing control?

As Pershing Square forces humiliating U-turn on US listing, does Universal Music top dog’s €100m ‘megabonus’ begin to look more like an exit package, while questions mount over who really pulls the strings at the “world's most successful music company”…

Sam Taylor • 17 Jan 2025

Pershing Square’s Ackman wants Universal Music to ditch Dutch stock market

public

Universal Music • 3 min read

Pershing Square’s Ackman wants Universal Music to ditch Dutch stock market

Universal Music board member Bill Ackman says he wants the major to move its stock market listing from Amsterdam to New York. Although prompted by unrest in Amsterdam last Thursday, he argues there are sound business reasons to move the listing. Universal says Ackman’s position has been noted…

Sam Taylor & Chris Cooke • 11 Nov 2024