How Much Would You Pay For Jack & Meg?

One.. two.. three.. four MILLION bucks?

HITS reports: White Stripes and band manager/attorney Ian Montone have been shopping a new deal for the band and its Third Man label. They are reportedly looking for a few million dollars for a one-record licensing pact, leaving only a small margin for the major label that chooses to ante up. Pundits are mixed on this strategy because it might just inhibit the label's marketing spend as well as its inclination to go the extra mile, especially when it comes to second and third tracks at radio.

On the other hand, it gives the band greater flexibility by not making any long-term commitment in the current, ever-changing marketplace. Warners and Interscope are said to be the front-runners, while some labels have cooled their interest because the risk/reward ratio seems too great. The Raconteurs' debut, Broken Boy Soldiers, which came out last year through V2, sold 400k, while the last White Stripes album, 2005's Get Behind Me Satan, sold 860k.

It'll be interesting to see what happens and where they go. I will say this, with today's Soundscan tallies, 860k is an amazing feat.

MP3: The White Stripes - Offend In Every Way