Casey Wasserman has announced plans to sell his namesake talent agency as fallout from newly released Epstein-related documents continues to ripple through Hollywood and the sports world.
In a company-wide email sent to approximately 4,000 employees, Wasserman said he had "become a distraction" and confirmed he has begun the process of selling the Los Angeles-based firm he built over the past two decades.
"I'm deeply sorry that my past personal mistakes have caused you so much discomfort," Wasserman wrote. "It's not fair to you, and it's not fair to the clients and partners we represent so vigorously and care so deeply about."
The move follows a wave of artist departures first reported after documents revealed that Wasserman had flown on Jeffrey Epstein's private plane in 2003 and exchanged emails with Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell. (Related: Wasserman Music Faces Artist Exodus After Epstein File Revelations).
Client Departures Accelerate Fallout
Several high-profile clients have exited the agency in recent days, including singer Chappell Roan, country artist Orville Peck, indie rock band Wednesday, singer-songwriter Weyes Blood, and former U.S. soccer star Abby Wambach.
Roan wrote in a public statement that "No artist, agent or employee should ever be expected to defend or overlook actions that conflict so deeply with our own moral values."
While Wasserman has not been accused of wrongdoing by any Epstein victims, the public disclosure of his 2003 flight and correspondence with Maxwell intensified scrutiny. The LA28 Olympic organizing committee later stated that the flight occurred during a humanitarian mission to Africa at the invitation of the Clinton Foundation and took place long before Epstein and Maxwell's crimes became widely known.
Still, reputational concerns have mounted swiftly.
LA28 Leadership Under Increasing Scrutiny
Despite stepping away from his agency, Wasserman remains chairman of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
The LA28 board conducted a review of his documented interactions and voted unanimously to retain him, stating that his relationship with Epstein did not extend beyond what had already been publicly disclosed. The board said he fully cooperated with their review.
NBC Olympics president Gary Zenkel also said there has been "no disruption" to broadcast preparations for the Games, emphasizing that the network's working relationship with LA28 remains intact.
However, calls for resignation continue. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass publicly voiced opposition to the board's decision to reaffirm Wasserman's leadership, adding further political pressure to an already volatile situation.
A Rapid Shift for a Hollywood Power Broker
Wasserman, grandson of entertainment legend Lew Wasserman, spent decades building a major sports and entertainment empire representing athletes, artists, and global brands. In recent years, his firm expanded its music and management divisions through acquisitions, increasing its footprint in both sports and entertainment.
Industry observers note that while many powerful executives have weathered controversy before, the combination of artist defections, investor pressure, and renewed public attention to Epstein-related associations created a tipping point.
Reports indicate that Providence Equity, which owns a majority stake in the agency, pushed for decisive action as the reputational risk escalated. Wasserman had explored selling in the past, but this latest development accelerated that timeline.
What Comes Next?
For now, the fallout appears divided across two fronts.
Wasserman's talent and sports agency will move toward new ownership. Details regarding a sale timeline or potential buyers have not yet been announced.
Meanwhile, his leadership of LA28 remains intact - though under continued scrutiny as the 2028 Games draw closer.
As of February 19, 2026, no criminal allegations have been made against Wasserman in connection with the Epstein files, and reviews conducted by LA28 found no evidence of misconduct beyond the documented interactions.
Still, the episode underscores how reputational risk - even tied to decades-old associations - can reshape leadership trajectories in today's media and business climate.
Whether the pressure surrounding LA28 subsides or intensifies may depend on what, if anything, emerges next.
