Wasserman to sell agency, stay with LA28 Games amid Epstein ties - ESPN
ESPN
February 14, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Casey Wasserman, chairman of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics organizing committee, has decided to sell his eponymous talent agency following the release of emails linking him to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. The move comes after documents revealed flirtatious exchanges between Wasserman and Maxwell in 2003, which have resurfaced amid Epstein's scandal. Despite no formal accusations against him, Wasserman stated that he feels his involvement has become a distraction, prompting him to focus fully on delivering a successful Olympic Games for Los Angeles. His agency, known for representing top music artists, has lost clients due to the controversy, including singer Chappell Roan and soccer legend Abby Wambach.
In a memo to staff, Wasserman acknowledged regret over his past interactions with Epstein and Maxwell, describing them as limited to one humanitarian trip to Africa in 2002 and a few emails he now regrets sending. He emphasized that these actions occurred long before the criminal nature of Epstein's and Maxwell's conduct became public knowledge. Wasserman's decision to step back from managing his agency was supported by the LA28 board, which conducted an independent review of his interactions. The board concluded that his relationship with Epstein and Maxwell did not extend beyond what had already been documented publicly and reaffirmed his leadership role in organizing the 2028 Olympics.
The controversy underscores the challenges faced by high-profile individuals in sports and entertainment when past actions resurface, particularly those involving controversial figures like Epstein. While Wasserman's involvement appears to be limited to non-criminal exchanges, the optics have created significant distractions for both his agency and his role with LA28. The situation highlights the importance of transparency and reputation management in leadership roles, especially in high-stakes environments like Olympic organizing committees.
Ultimately, Wasserman's decision to sell his agency and focus on the Olympics reflects an effort to move past the controversy and maintain credibility. His ability to navigate this
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Originally published on ESPN on 2/14/2026