The Vanderhook Brothers Plot Another Myspace Revival

Once the most-visited website in the United States, surpassing both Google and eBay in 2006, Myspace has weathered a series of ownership shifts that eroded its influence. After News Corp sold the platform for a mere $35 million in 2011—a sharp decline from its $580 million acquisition price—the Vanderhooks and partner Justin Timberlake sought to reinvent the site as a music-centric hub. That 2013 redesign failed to gain traction, ultimately costing the ownership group more than $150 million as advertisers abandoned the project.

Despite the significant capital burn and the platform's diminished status, the founders remain committed to the brand. Tim Vanderhook indicated that they view the venture as a long-term challenge, suggesting that even if the next iteration falters, they intend to continue iterating until they find a viable path forward. For a site that once served as the launchpad for artists like Adele and Arctic Monkeys, this persistence reflects a deep, albeit costly, attachment to the platform's legacy.