Overview

• On Sept. 3, Morrissey announced he would sell all of his business interests in the Smiths to any investor, listing the band name, artwork, merchandising, songs, recordings, synchronization and publishing rights.
• A new post on Sept. 5 said the provided email address was switched off due to a "colossal" response and that he is no longer accepting new applications, with most messages to be answered in time.
• The singer said he is "burnt out by any and all connections" to Johnny Marr, Mike Joyce and the late Andy Rourke, framing the divestment as a personal dissociation to safeguard his health.
• Coverage notes legal uncertainty because Marr registered the Smiths trademark in 2018 and signed a 2024 assignment of joint ownership that still requires Morrissey’s signature, raising questions about what can be transferred.
• Some outlets reported messages to the investor email bounced, and representatives for Marr and Joyce did not provide substantive comment on the sale plan.