Casey Wasserman Plans to Sell Talent Agency Amid Ghislaine Maxwell Email Controversy

Casey Wasserman Announces Sale of Wasserman Media Group Amid Controversy

LOS ANGELES – Casey Wasserman, influential in sports marketing and chairman of the LA28 Olympic Games, announced on Friday his decision to sell Wasserman Media Group. This move comes in the wake of growing pressure following revelations tied to controversial emails with convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell.

The agency’s sale follows the public release of documents by the Department of Justice, which included suggestive 2003 correspondence between Wasserman and Maxwell. Though an independent investigation cleared Wasserman of any criminal activity, the fallout led to a wave of client departures and staff unrest.

In a memo to his 4,000 employees, Wasserman expressed regret for "past personal mistakes" and appointed Chief Operating Officer Mike Watts to oversee operations during the transition.

Founded in 2002, Wasserman Media Group has become a major player in representing elite athletes and prominent musicians. However, the agency has faced significant turmoil, with high-profile clients like Grammy winner Chappell Roan and soccer icon Abby Wambach publicly severing ties over the controversy, with Wambach explicitly calling for Wasserman’s resignation.

Despite the turmoil within his agency, the LA28 Executive Committee gave a vote of confidence to Wasserman. They stated that a review by O’Melveny & Myers found his interactions with Epstein and Maxwell did not exceed what had already been made public.

The timeline of events leading to the agency’s impending sale is marked by significant dates:

• 2002: Wasserman travels to Africa on Jeffrey Epstein’s plane for a Clinton Foundation mission.
• 2003: Wasserman exchanges "flirtatious" emails with Ghislaine Maxwell.
• January 2026: The Department of Justice releases documents detailing these communications.
• February 9-11, 2026: Major clients, including Chappell Roan and Abby Wambach, leave the agency.
• February 11, 2026: The LA28 Board reaffirms its support for Wasserman.
• February 13, 2026: Wasserman announces the sale of his company.

Looking ahead, the sale of Wasserman Media Group is already in progress, although a buyer has not yet been identified. As Wasserman steps back from his agency, he plans to focus on the 2028 Olympic Games, even as calls for his resignation continue from members of the Los Angeles City Council and County Supervisor Janice Hahn.