The Business Side of the King of Pop
Michael Jackson was not just a musical genius—he was also a businessman with big dreams. Throughout his career, he launched numerous ventures beyond music, ranging from theme parks to energy drinks, entertainment companies, and even an online casino. While some of his investments were successful, others failed due to mismanagement, financial burdens, and legal troubles.
In this article, we take an in-depth look at Michael Jackson’s failed business ventures and analyze what went wrong.
1. Neverland Ranch: From Dream to Financial Nightmare
The Vision Behind Neverland
In 1988, Michael Jackson purchased Neverland Ranch, a 2,700-acre property in Los Olivos, California, for an estimated $17 million. Inspired by Peter Pan, Jackson transformed the ranch into a private amusement park, complete with carnival rides, a zoo, and a train system.
His vision was to create a commercial theme park and retreat for underprivileged children, celebrities, and VIPs. Some sources suggest that he entertained the idea of opening it to the public as a business venture, similar to Disneyland.
Neverland Valley Ranch in Santa Barbara County, California, on the edge of Los Padres National Forest.
Why Neverland Ranch Failed as a Business
- High Maintenance Costs: Running Neverland reportedly cost $10 million per year, making it financially unsustainable.
- Legal Troubles: Following the 2005 child molestation trial, Jackson left the ranch, and its reputation suffered.
- Financial Decline: By 2008, Jackson had defaulted on a $24.5 million loan on Neverland, forcing him to transfer ownership to Colony Capital LLC to avoid foreclosure.
- No Public Opening: Unlike Disneyland, Neverland was never formally opened as a business, eliminating revenue potential.
The Aftermath
Neverland was ultimately sold in 2020 for $22 million, far below its previous valuation of $100 million.
2. Kingdom Entertainment: A Royal Partnership That Went Nowhere
Michael Jackson & Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal
In 1996, Jackson teamed up with Saudi billionaire Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal to launch Kingdom Entertainment, a global entertainment company based in Bahrain. The goal was to invest in theme parks, films, and music ventures on a massive scale.
Jackson and Alwaleed became friends in 1994, when a mutual acquaintance from Alwaleed’s college days in California set up a lunch meeting on the prince’s yacht in Cannes.
Why Kingdom Entertainment Failed
- No Major Projects: Despite the hype, no significant projects ever materialized under Kingdom Entertainment.
- Jackson’s Legal Issues: His personal and financial troubles in the late 1990s shifted his focus away from business.
- Dissolved Partnership: The lack of progress led to an abrupt end to the partnership by the early 2000s.
Michael Jackson & Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal
The Aftermath
Kingdom Entertainment disappeared, leaving no tangible impact on the entertainment industry.
3. The “Mystery Drink” Energy Beverage That Never Launched
The Japanese Market Gamble
In the 1990s, Jackson planned to enter Japan’s booming energy drink market with a beverage called “Mystery Drink.” Inspired by the success of brands like Red Bull, Jackson’s drink was rumored to be an exclusive high-end energy drink marketed to fans.
Why Mystery Drink Failed
- No Distribution Deals: Jackson struggled to secure contracts with Japanese distributors.
- Legal & Financial Issues: His growing financial troubles meant limited investment in the project.
- Marketing Uncertainty: The name “Mystery Drink” lacked strong branding appeal.
The Aftermath
The drink never hit the market, and very little information exists about the planned formula or branding.
4. MJ’s Kingdom: The Las Vegas Theme Park That Never Was
The Vision for a Michael Jackson Theme Park
During the late 1990s and early 2000s, Jackson explored building his own Las Vegas theme park, possibly called “MJ’s Kingdom.” The park would have been modeled after Neverland but open to the public.
Why MJ’s Kingdom Failed
- Unstable Finances: Jackson’s debt made securing investors and permits difficult.
- Failed Partnerships: He met with developers, but deals fell through.
- Las Vegas’ Declining Theme Park Market: Vegas was shifting away from family attractions toward gambling and nightlife.
MJ’s Kingdom: The Las Vegas Theme Park
The Aftermath
MJ’s Kingdom never moved past the conceptual phase, though Jackson’s estate later partnered with Cirque du Soleil for the Michael Jackson ONE residency in Las Vegas.
5. “Ghosts” Movie: A Cult Classic That Lost Millions
The Ambitious Horror Film Project
Jackson’s 1996 short film Ghosts, co-written with Stephen King, was meant to launch a full-length horror movie franchise. Ghosts tells the tale of an eccentric man with supernatural abilities who is driven out of a small town by its judgmental mayor.
Michael Jackson portrays five different characters and performs dance routines to the songs “2 Bad,” “Is It Scary,” and “Ghosts,” which are from his albums HIStory (1995) and Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix (1997). The AV Club has described Ghosts as an allegory reflecting Jackson’s life and his status in pop culture
Why “Ghosts” Failed Financially
- Production Costs: The 39-minute film cost an estimated $15 million, making it one of the most expensive short films ever.
- No Theatrical Release: Originally planned for a full-length film, it was instead released direct-to-video.
- Poor Marketing: Without proper promotion, it failed to reach a broad audience.
Michael Jackson “Ghosts” Movie
The Aftermath
Though Ghosts became a cult classic, it never became the franchise Jackson envisioned.
6. Michael Jackson’s Online Casino That Was Shut Down
MJ Universe: The Digital Gambling Experiment
In 2005, Jackson partnered with online gaming companies to create MJ Universe, a Las Vegas-based online casino featuring Michael Jackson-themed games. In 20011, a gambling website acquired a piece of the singer’s hair and planned to turn it into a roulette ball.
Announced in a press release titled “The King of Pop to Rock & Roll Again,” the casino website bought the small lock of hair for $10,871 from an online memorabilia dealer, Gotta Have Rock & Roll. Interestingly, the sellers reportedly obtained the hair from Jackson’s stay at the Carlyle Hotel in New York.
Why MJ Universe Failed
- Licensing Issues: Legal complications prevented its launch.
- Public Backlash: Following his 2005 trial, brands distanced themselves from Jackson.
- Regulatory Problems: Online gambling laws were complex at the time.
Michael Jackson’s Online Casino
The Aftermath
The project was quickly scrapped, and no official Jackson-branded casino ever launched.
7. The Comeback Album That Never Happened
The 2000s Studio Sessions
In the early 2000s, Jackson worked on a comeback album, collaborating with Will.i.am, Akon, and Ne-Yo. The project was expected to revive his career. It was reported that when he recorded a song with MJ in 2009, Will.i.am reported being both frustrated and in awe that Jackson warmed up for three hours to sing a five-minute song.
Why the Comeback Album Failed
- Creative Differences: Jackson kept reworking tracks, delaying progress.
- Label Issues: Sony and Jackson had a strained relationship.
- Health & Legal Problems: His declining health and lawsuits distracted him.
Michael Jackson’ and will.i.am
The Aftermath
The album was never released in Jackson’s lifetime, though some songs were later compiled into Michael (2010).
The Business Lessons from Michael Jackson’s Failures
Michael Jackson’s failed business ventures reveal key lessons about entrepreneurship:
- Creativity Alone Isn’t Enough: Successful businesses need strong financial backing and execution.
- Legal Troubles Can Derail Success: His lawsuits scared away investors.
- Diversification Is Risky: Spreading investments too thin without focus can lead to failure.
Despite these failures, Michael Jackson remains one of the highest-earning deceased celebrities, proving that even setbacks can’t erase a lasting legacy.
Would you have invested in any of these projects? Let us know in the comments.
