Casey Wasserman begins sale of agency amid Epstein fallout and LA28 controversy

LA28 chair Casey Wasserman starts selling agency, citing distraction after renewed scrutiny

Casey Wasserman has begun the process of selling his talent and marketing agency amid mounting controversy tied to his past association with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, according to a memo he sent to employees Friday.

In the memo, Wasserman said he believes he has “become a distraction” as chair of the 2028 Summer Olympics, also known as LA28, and that selling the company would allow him to focus fully on delivering the Games in Los Angeles. He added that the sale process is already underway and that Mike Watts will take over day-to-day management of the business during the transition.

The move follows renewed scrutiny after emails from 2003 between Wasserman and Maxwell surfaced in a recent Department of Justice document release related to Epstein. Wasserman acknowledged in the memo that his interactions with Epstein and Maxwell included a humanitarian trip to Africa and several emails, which he said he regrets. He apologized to staff for the impact the controversy has had on employees, clients and partners, and expressed sympathy for victims of Epstein and Maxwell.

Wasserman has received public backing from the International Olympic Committee and unanimous support from the LA28 board earlier this month. However, according to Deadline, some clients and industry partners have reconsidered their relationships with the agency amid the fallout. The report also noted internal discussions about potential exits and the sale of various divisions.

Founded in 2002, Wasserman’s agency expanded significantly in recent years, including the acquisition of Paradigm Talent Agency in 2021 and Brillstein Entertainment Partners in 2023. The company represents clients across sports, music, entertainment and branding.

In his message to employees, Wasserman emphasized his commitment to the upcoming Los Angeles Olympics, currently projected to cost more than $7 billion and scheduled to take place from July 14 to July 30, 2028. He stated that aside from his family, the company and the Olympic Games are his top priorities.