De Brauw advises Universal Music Group on unsolicited takeover bid by Pershing Square

Universal Music Group is a music and entertainment company active in recorded music, music publishing, merchandising and audiovisual content. It has been listed on Euronext Amsterdam since 2021. Pershing Square Capital Management, L.P. is a New York-based hedge fund founded and managed by Bill Ackman.

The unsolicited, non-binding bid that Pershing made on 7 April 2026 valued Universal Music Group at approximately EUR 56 billion. On 29 May 2026, Universal Music Group's board announced that it had declined the bid.

De Brauw acted as legal adviser to Universal Music Group alongside Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP.