THE family of BB King is embroiled in a fierce legal dispute over the legendary blues singer's estate which is "costing them millions."
The tussle stems from a lengthy battle over the use of the icon's name, image, likeness, and in particular, about his family's right to open a restaurant named after him.
Now, entertainment attorney Waukeen McCoy – who is not involved in the case – has accused a firm of "greed" after it argued that King's relatives do now hold the right to open a dinery in the star's name.
McCoy, citing court filings, said the actions of the Tennessee-based Tennco Holdings "could have allegedly cost the King family multi-millions of dollars in unpaid income, royalties, and brand exploitation."
The singer earned more than $100 million throughout his stellar career and he had an estimated net worth of more than $10 million when he died at the age of 89 in Vegas in 2015.
Clark County District Court in Nevada has been asked to settle the case following allegations of financial "misconduct" and exploitation tied to the blues icon's name and legacy.
McCoy, a high-profile civil rights and entertainment attorney based in San Francisco, California, spoke out after "stumbling" on the active BB King Estate legal case while reviewing recent online court filings.
He has no involvement in the dispute, but told The U.S. Sun that his interest was piqued as he was "deeply troubled" by the case.
McCoy, a licensed agent for athletes in the NFL, NBA and other sports, added, "It is in my heart to support the King legacy as well as other artists – Mr King just wanted to play his guitar.
"But you have corporations who want to destroy families, and the families aren't getting the revenues they are owed, this is a theme throughout a lot of these cases.
"I'm a civil lawyer who follows high profile cases, and I'm concerned at how black artists are being manipulated.
"And there is a common theme of exploitation, this has happened with other artists, such as Prince. These artists are institutions within themselves."
The court filings he was referring to involve a fight between plaintiff Tennco Holdings and multiple defendants.
These include Kingsid Ventures in Delaware; Vassal Benford, who is the chairman of the BB King Estate; and unnamed "Does I through X."
Tennco Holdings is connected to the family of the late Memphis restaurateur Thomas Peters, who launched the Beale Street Blues Company and founded the BB King's Blues Club on run down Beale Street in 1991.
The redevelopment of what was considered a ghost town brought the star together with Peters to create an iconic destination that paid tribute to King.
Beale Street is now a hotspot for both music lovers and tourists.
Peters owned and operated restaurants such as BB King's Blues Club, Itta Bena and Lafayette's Music Room in Memphis and Moondance Grill in Germantown, along with sites in Orlando, Nashville and Montgomery, Alabama.
He died in 2021.
Members of the Peters family own Tennco Holdings LLC and the BB King Blues Clubs and restaurants, according to public court filings.
Those filings allege that Tennco will not allow the King family to open its own restaurant – using the star's name – anywhere else in the world.
The U.S. Sun has contacted Sara Fay Egan, Tommy Peters' daughter, and CEO of Beale Street Blues Company for comment.
Snapshot of legal battle over BB King's legacy
There is a huge battle behind the scenes concerning the use of BB King's name, image, likeness, and estate-controlled intellectual property.
On one side – the plaintiff – is Tennco Holdings, a Tennessee limited liability company.
According to public court documents, members of the Peters family are the owners of Tennco Holdings LLC and the BB King Blues Clubs and restaurants in Memphis, Tennessee, and Montgomery in Alabama.
Its opponents – battling for the financial rights of the icon's relatives – are multiple defendants including Vassal Benford, who is chairman of the BB King Estate in Vegas, and Kingsid Ventures.
Kingsid is a licensing company jointly owned by King and his late manager.
Its sole purpose was to manage a licensing agreement with Tennco to operate the BB King Blues Clubs. Kingsid held no other assets or contracts.
BB King Music Company, LLC, is currently the successor to Kingsid Ventures, Ltd – the licensor.
It is the holder of all rights to the name and likeness of BB King and all intellectual property owned by King (the "licensed assets"), including all rights previously held by Kingsid, according to court filings.
The documents said that under a Master License Agreement with Tennco Holdings, "in return for the use of the licensed assets, the licensee agreed to pay Kingsid royalties."
The dispute goes to arbitration in April 2026.
The defendants are battling for the financial rights of the icon's relatives.
But Tennco – which has no familial relationship with King or his descendants – is holding firm on a lease agreement signed in 1998, which it says will run for nearly eight decades, and allows it to cash in on the star's name, claimed McCoy.
According to court filings, in 2019, the licensee – Tennco – and Beale Street Blues Company Inc. filed two lawsuits in state and federal court in Memphis against the prior trustee and fiduciaries of the BB King Estate.
A fiduciary manages money or property for someone else.
The documents added that after "the 2019 lawsuits were settled in late 2020 and both cases were dismissed," a settlement was signed by Tommy Peters" on behalf of Tennco and Beale Street Blues.
The filings said that in return for the use of "licensed assets, the licensee agreed to pay Kingsid royalties."
However, they "then failed and refused to make any payments (royalties) to the licensor (Kingsid) from February 2020 through the end of the year," said the document.
The defendants have accused Tennco of "violating the terms of settlement."
Kingsid last year lodged a counterclaim against Tennco for damages in the royalties row.
Their counterclaim alleged the licensee had "failed" to provide details "reflecting the sales revenue derived from all restaurants, clubs, cruise lines or any other related uses of the BB King name, likeness and image as required under the terms of the Master License Agreement… during the last four plus years."
They have further accused Tennco of failing to provide "advance notice or obtaining prior authorization" to "initiate two upper scale, southern, soul food restaurants named Itta Bena (the birthplace of BB King), situated above and adjacent to the BB King Blues Clubs located in Memphis, Tennessee and Montgomery Alabama."
McCoy explained, "The estate filed a counterclaim to the lawsuit lodged by Tennco, effectively asking it to account for revenues from firms claiming to be linked to Mr. King."
McCoy, who has taken an interest in the proceedings, said that filings against Tennco alleged it was "withholding financial records, diverting revenue, and misusing BB King's name through unauthorized commercial ventures — including additional restaurants and cruise operations.
"These actions could have allegedly cost the King family multi-millions of dollars in unpaid income, royalties, and brand exploitation."
He added, "It's deeply troubling that the Peters family appears to believe they are more entitled to Mr King's legacy than his own bloodline.
"That kind of arrogance and exploitation has no place in today's industry — and it reflects a deeper pattern that continues to harm black artists and their heirs.
"I definitely think the estate will win this lawsuit."
The attorney added, "I have looked at the complaint and cross complaint and (Tennco's claim) just doesn't pass the smell test.
"And as a litigator of 32 years, what I saw there is a massive lease agreement that was signed in 1998.
"And the plaintiff claims it lasted 77 years – which to me is like in perpetuity.
"I've never heard of or seen of any agreements this long, sometimes 2- 4 years, or maybe 6-7 years for artists – never as long as over 70 years. This is way too long.
"And why wouldn't they allow the chairman of the (BB King) estate to build the brand?
"In turn they sued (him) which doesn't seem right to me when he has worked tirelessly to protect Mr. King's legacy, and branding initiatives, revitalize his (the singer's) public presence."
McCoy added, "I think Tennco wants to continue to keep control of Mr King's brand.
"I would say the motivation is that the individuals involved in cases like this are motivated by greed, in my opinion."
NOT CLOSE
He also took issue with an article published by Forbes earlier this month which quoted Peters' daughter, Sara Fay Egan, as saying the two men had been close friends.
McCoy said, "The Peters are claiming to be very close to the family, but I think the evidence will show they were not close by the end of Mr. King's life."
The case is going to arbitration in April 2026.
Ross Goodman, a Las Vegas-based attorney, has been engaged by the defendants to recover funds.
A spokesman for the BB King Estate declined to comment on the pending trial, as it is an "active legal matter."
Statement from the B.B. King Estate
A spokesman for the estate declined to comment on the pending trial, as it is an "active legal matter."
However, in a statement, he criticized a Forbes' article 'Memphis To Honor BB King In Upcoming 100th Birthday Celebration' which said Tommy Peters, founder of the BB King's Blues Club in Memphis, was close to BB King.
The spokesman said the estate wanted to "clarify several inaccuracies and omissions" in the article.
His statement added, "The article presents a simplified version of the history between BB King and Tommy Peters.
"While Peters was involved in the early formation of the Beale Street Club, the true custodianship of the BB King legacy rests with the BB King Estate and its authorized representatives.
"The framing of Peters' role and his family's current involvement is misleading and does not reflect the estate's ongoing stewardship of BB King's name, image, and likeness.
"There is an active legal case concerning use of the BB King name, image, likeness, and estate-controlled intellectual property.
"As this case is pending, we will not litigate in the press.
"However, it is important to emphasize that unauthorized narratives and commercial activities are being challenged.
"And the estate remains committed to protecting BB King's legacy with integrity and transparency.
"The estate and its leadership are actively driving global celebrations, film projects, and educational initiatives tied to the centennial year.
"These efforts are designed to honor BB King's enduring influence and ensure his story is told truthfully, with respect and dignity."
These include an upcoming biopic, and the renaming of a bridge in his honor.
Interstate 55 (I-55) bridge, which spans the Mississippi River between Memphis, Tennessee, and West Memphis, Arkansas has been named Kings' Crossing in honor of three world-renowned legends with deep Midsouth roots: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., BB King, and Elvis Presley.
In a statement, the BB King family said of the bridge, "Our family is humbled to see BB King honored in this way.
"He loved Memphis with all his heart, and he believed that music could bring people together.
"To see his name forever tied to this great bridge — alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Elvis Presley — is a tribute that truly reflects his spirit.
"We thank the people of Tennessee and Arkansas for ensuring that his legacy will continue to inspire."
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