Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch Renamed Amid Financial Turmoil

Celebrity life allows no secrets, so Michael Jackson's financial problems and tenuous grip on ownership of Neverland Ranch have splashed in print repeatedly over time. Neverland Ranch, a sprawling carnival/ranch named for Peter Pan's homeland, burst into media spotlights during the trials regarding alleged misconduct there and never really left. Currently, Michael Jackson's former home seems to lie in the hands of the Sycamore Valley Ranch Company LLC, which changed the name to disassociate Neverland Ranch from past legal unpleasantries. According to TMZ, Neverland Ranch henceforth becomes Sycamore Valley Ranch.

Fittingly, Sycamore Valley Ranch was Neverland Ranch's name prior to purchase by Michael Jackson. What circumstances lead to a property like Neverland Ranch being purchased by a company with the property's previous name? Well: Michael Jackson's original loan holder slated Neverland Ranch for public auction if the loan, exceeding $24 million, remained unpaid on March 19, 2008. Removable assets created for an unusual celebrity life style, such as custom-built carnival rides, trains, art, etc, faced purchase by multiple bidders. Dispersing Neverland Ranch's parts would destroy the property's essence, transforming it to just another multi-million dollar home. Luckily for the fabulous ready-made carnival, Michael Jackson managed a last-ditch deal with Fortress Investment Group by March 13. Subsequently in May, Colony Capital LLC seems to have acquired the loan. Further developments show Michael Jackson transferring Neverland Ranch's title to yet another relatively unknown company, Sycamore Valley Ranch Company LLC, in November. Hence the name change to Sycamore Valley Ranch.

However, speculation insists this celebrity life story carries more twists. Delving into specifics reveals Sycamore Valley Ranch Company LLC, formed in Delaware, carries a Los Angeles address also belonging to Colony Capital LLC. Theories suggest Sycamore Valley Ranch Company LLC may be a collaboration between Colony Capital LLC and Michael Jackson, though their plans for Neverland Ranch remain unclear. Beyond the name change, that is. Does Colony Capital's comfort taking on such enormous debt indicate a future business relationship with Michael Jackson? Conjecture abounds, but hard facts remain elusive. Those with a more conspiracy theorist bent suggest Michael Jackson limiting his personal financial investment in Neverland Ranch by turning over control to a corporation, assuming Michael Jackson has a business interest in Sycamore Valley Ranch Company LLC.

Internet guesswork supposes Neverland Ranch might become a luxury hotel. Again, with no apparent factual basis. Rumors circle and multiply, but at least Neverland Ranch - excuse me, Sycamore Valley Ranch - remains in Michael Jackson's possession for now. And that's a piece of magic itself in the face of such extreme financial problems.

Sources:

Neverland Ranch, Wikipedia

Neverland May Be Jackos Ticket to Vegas, TMZ

Update Michael Jackson, Realestalker