Change is once again afoot at Big Machine Records. The label’s founder, Scott Borchetta, announced on Thursday that he’s exiting HYBE America, which acquired Big Machine Label Group (BMLG) as part of a 2021 deal, and is taking the Big Machine Records name with him. Borchetta launched Big Machine in 2005 with its first signed artist: Taylor Swift. He sold the group to Ithaca Holdings in 2019 for an estimated $300 million.
After Hybe purchased Ithaca Holdings in 2021 for $1.05 billion, Borchetta served as the CEO of BMLG. While Borchetta will be walking away with the label’s brand for his own future ventures, HYBE America will still own assets, the distribution deal, the publishing company Big Machine Music and a number of artists on the label’s roster, including country stars Thomas Rhett, Brett Young, Midland, Justin Moore, Carly Pearce, Preston Cooper, Jackson Dean, and Mae Estes.
What was formerly BMLG at HYBE will operate under a new label name. A press release states that new leadership will be announced in the next few days, leading Nashville insiders to speculate on who may take the reins.
“Scott has made a lasting mark on the music industry with his sharp eye for talent and his unique vision,” said Isaac Lee, Chairman and CEO of HYBE America, in a statement. “He recently approached us to ask for our support as he works to pursue a new, independent and entrepreneurial stage of his career, working to advance the Big Machine brand separately from HYBE. While we are sad to see Scott go, we understand – and want him to pursue his passions, and are grateful for all he did for the company.”
“HYBE AMERICA will continue to support our artists’ interests across music, film, television, brands and culture in the U.S. market and beyond,” said Lee. “We are beyond excited for our future in Nashville and will make further announcements in due course.”
“I am incredibly appreciative of my partnership with HYBE over these last five years,” Borchetta said in his own statement. “Chairman Bang often talks of his fondness for entrepreneurs and he, Isaac, and the HYBE leadership team have extended that belief with this incredible showing of support by allowing me to continue to build upon my vision of the Big Machine Records brand. For that, I am forever grateful and wish them nothing but continued and incredible global success.”
Borchetta launched BMLG as a sister label to Toby Keith’s Show Dog Nashville as a joint venture in 2005. Swift became involved in a back-and-forth with Borchetta and Big Machine following the selling of her master recordings to Scooter Braun back in 2019. In May 2025, the music superstar regained ownership of her master recordings from Shamrock Capital, which bought them from Braun’s Ithaca Holdings in late 2020.