Billy McFarland Is Selling the Fyre Festival Brand After Postponing Event. But You Can Still Buy Merch!
Billy McFarland is onto a new business venture.
On Wednesday, April 23, the founder of the controversial Fyre Fest founder revealed that he is selling the brand that made him infamous. McFarland, 33, posted a lengthy statement on Instagram detailing his plan.
"When my team and I launched FYRE Festival 2, it was about two things: finishing what I started and making things right," he began. McFarland said he and his team spent the last two years bringing back Fyre Fest "with honesty, transparency, relentless effort, and creativity" and had taken "the long road to rebuilding trust."
McFarland acknowledges the attention that Fyre Fest had since its inception almost 10 years ago, and said that the brand became too large for him to lead on his own. "We have decided the best way to accomplish our goals is to sell the FYRE Festival brand, including its trademarks, IP, digital assets, media reach, and cultural capital," he wrote.
Related: Donald Trump's Campaign Asked Disgraced Fyre Fest Founder Billy McFarland for Help Wooing Rappers: Report
McFarland also mentioned that when planning Fyre Fest 2, he was approached by "several Caribbean destinations eager to host" but the attention it received became a double-edged sword.
"While I'm incredibly excited, I can't risk a repeat of what happened in Playa Del Carmen, where support quickly turned into public distancing once media attention intensified," he said. "For FYRE Festival 2 to succeed, it's clear that I need to step back and allow a new team to move forward independently, bringing the vision to life on this incredible island."
The disgraced businessman concluded that relinquishing control to a new group is the best way for the Fyre Fest brand to move forward. "To the supporters, believers, and builders who've stuck with my team and me: thank you."
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"We will pick the new group based on their ability to execute the vision of FYRE in a transparent, grand, and expeditious manner. The next chapter of FYRE will be bigger, better, and built to last without me at the helm."
The week before this announcement, Fyre Fest posted that the event was "postponed and will be rescheduled for a later date in the future" with no new location noted. Those planning to attend the festival were issued a refund.
Fyre Fest 2 was originally slated to take place on Isla Mujeres from May 30 to June 2. Tickets for the event ranged from $1,400 to $1.1 million, McFarland announced.
Related: Music Festivals 2025: Performers, Dates, Locations and Everything You Need to Know
However, the Isla Mujeres Tourism Board released a statement claiming that Fyre Fest 2 "does not exist." "We have no knowledge of this event, nor contact with any person or company about it. For us, this is an event that does not exist," they said.
The original Fyre Fest took place in 2017, touting famous influencers and musicians as part of the lineup. The festival promised a luxurious experience and guests were greeted with underwhelming accommodations and chaos.
McFarland was found guilty of two counts of wire fraud in relation to the festival the following year and served four years in prison.
In the meantime, fans can purchase Fyre Fest merch while it's still available.
Read the original article on People
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