Irving Azoff, Photographer: Luke Harold
Irving Azoff’s Iconic Artists Group has taken another bold step in reshaping music legacies. The company acquired Frank Sinatra’s name, image, and likeness rights, as Bloomberg reported on October 12. In addition, Azoff announced plans for a Rat Pack–themed venue in Las Vegas. The project aims to revive the swagger and charm of Sinatra’s era.
“We Have All the Rat Pack”
At Bloomberg’s Screentime conference, Azoff confirmed, “We recently acquired a chunk of the Sinatra estate.” He added, “We now have all the Rat Pack. We have Dean Martin. We’re very diverse. We have Cher.” Frank Sinatra Enterprises, Tina Sinatra, and Warner Music Group welcomed the move. They said they were “delighted to have Irving Azoff and Iconic join the dedicated team serving Frank Sinatra’s legacy.”
The Sinatra deal continues a series of high-profile acquisitions by Iconic Artists Group. In 2021, the company bought a controlling stake in the Beach Boys’ intellectual property, valued between $100 million and $200 million. Azoff later said the band’s revenues had more than doubled since Iconic got involved. Two years later, Iconic acquired Cher’s full catalog. The superstar said she was “thrilled” to have Azoff represent her past work.
Expanding the Heritage Music Portfolio
Since then, Iconic has expanded even faster. It gathered the catalogs of Crosby, Stills & Nash members and bought Rod Stewart’s catalog for about $100 million in early 2024. The company also acquired 50% of Bryan Ferry’s recordings and likeness. With a $1 billion capital commitment from HPS Investment Partners, Iconic now has the financial power to chase even larger deals. These bold moves highlight Azoff’s determination to dominate the heritage music market.
Still, Azoff insists his plan goes beyond profit. He argues that many estates suffer from poor management. Iconic, he says, provides “great estate planning for some of these older artists.” When asked which catalog he values most, Azoff replied, “I normally would have said the Beatles, but I’m not sure that’s true anymore… You’ve got to maybe say Taylor [Swift] at this point.”
In short, Iconic Artists Group is redefining how music legacies are preserved and promoted. From Sinatra’s timeless voice to Swift’s modern reign, Azoff’s vision shows the enduring cultural and financial strength of great catalogs. the charge, the future of preserving—and reimagining—music history looks more dynamic than ever.
About the Author
