Who is Casey Wasserman?

I. Early Life and Family Legacy

Casey Wasserman was born Casey Myers on June 28, 1974, in Los Angeles, California, into a family already deeply rooted in entertainment and power. His mother, Lynne Wasserman, was the daughter of Lew Wasserman, a towering figure in Hollywood who once helmed MCA, transformed Universal Pictures into a media powerhouse, and influenced how talent and production shaped American culture. Wasserman’s parents divorced when he was young, and he was principally raised by his mother and grandfather – a mentor who introduced him early to elite networks and strategic thinking.

Young Casey’s introduction to spectacle and influence came early. He participated in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics torch relay as a child, a symbolic gesture toward his future in sport. Around the same age, his grandfather taught him lessons in social dynamics and access, taking him to Hollywood haunts and connecting him with industry leaders. These experiences afforded him a sense of ease in elite circles.

II. Education and Formation

Wasserman attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science. His time at UCLA, a hub of critical political thought and Los Angeles community leadership, fortified his interest in policy and organizational work. It also planted seeds for his later involvement in philanthropy and public initiatives.

During his college years, he also engaged with nonprofit work and civic leadership opportunities, fostering an early reputation as someone interested not only in profit but in public impact.

III. Founding the Wasserman Media Group (WMG)

In 2002, at age 28, Wasserman founded what would become Wasserman, initially known as Wasserman Media Group. This moment was his entry into building what would become one of the most influential sports marketing and talent agencies globally. The company’s early strategy was simple yet ambitious: leverage strong relationships with athletes, brands, and entertainment figures to create an agency that could transcend traditional industry silos.

In its earliest incarnation, Wasserman acquired several small businesses, including sports marketing and rights companies, and gradually expanded into different verticals — sports representation, media rights, talent management, and entertainment marketing.

A. Growth through Acquisition

Under Wasserman’s leadership, the company pursued a strategy of strategic acquisitions that accelerated growth:

Envision and other early marketing firms were absorbed to build capacity in sports marketing.
By the mid-2000s, the company expanded into sports media and entertainment production.
In 2021, Wasserman acquired the Paradigm Agency’s music division, elevating the company into the music talent market.
In 2023, the agency purchased Brillstein Entertainment Partners, a storied management firm representing elite Hollywood talent, expanding its reach into film and television management.

This aggressive expansion made Wasserman a rare hybrid of sports agency, entertainment management firm, and strategic marketing platform — a “one-stop shop” for high-profile clients and global brands.

IV. Leadership and Company Culture

Wasserman’s company grew rapidly, its workforce swelling to thousands of employees and clients ranging from NBA and NFL stars to top-tier musicians and actors. The firm’s sports division became a staple in professional leagues, negotiated landmark sponsorship deals, and helped athletes expand their brand equity. Likewise, the music and entertainment division became known for representing globally popular artists.

By the early 2020s, Wasserman’s name was synonymous with talent representation in multiple domains. His leadership style, while often described as charismatic and connected, was also shaped by his belief in cross-pollinating sports, media, and lifestyle branding — a model designed to maximize opportunities for clients across sectors.

V. Philanthropy and Civic Engagement

Parallel to his business pursuits, Wasserman was engaged in philanthropy and civic leadership. He served as the President and CEO of the Wasserman Foundation, a private family foundation established by his grandparents in 1952 that funds initiatives in education, health, arts and culture, and global development. He was also a trustee or board member of several esteemed institutions including the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and The Jules Stein Eye Institute.

His philanthropic efforts often focused on creating access and equity in sport and education, reflecting a belief that talent and opportunity should be nurtured regardless of socioeconomic status.

VI. Political Activity and Influence

Wasserman’s reach extended into political circles as well. A lifelong Democrat, he was known for supporting Democratic campaigns and causes, including co-chairing fundraisers for high-profile leaders. He also occasionally engaged in bipartisan support and fundraising. His influence was not confined to the political left; he supported select Republican figures when aligned with his business or community interests.

This political involvement helped cement his status as a civic leader in Los Angeles and national affairs – a man comfortable navigating boardrooms, campaign dinners, and diplomatic events alike.

VII. LA28 Olympics: Vision, Leadership, and Controversy

One of the defining roles of Wasserman’s career – and a centerpiece of how he developed global influence – was his leadership of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games (LA28) organizing committee.

A. Winning the Bid

In 2015, the United States Olympic Committee selected Los Angeles as its candidate city for the 2024 Summer Olympics, but in a unique outcome, LA was later awarded the 2028 Games as part of a dual allocation where Paris hosted the 2024 Olympics. Casey Wasserman was appointed chair of the LA28 bid effort and successfully led the campaign to secure the 2028 Games, positioning Los Angeles to host the Olympics for the third time in history.

B. Olympic Vision and Execution

Wasserman’s strategy for LA28 centered on bold marketing, public-private partnerships, fiscal responsibility, and community engagement. He positioned the Games as a transformational moment for Los Angeles — economically, culturally, and socially — emphasizing:

Sustainable use of existing venues to reduce infrastructure costs.
Expanded access to sport for underserved communities.
Strong partnerships with broadcasters and sponsors to enhance global visibility and revenue.

In doing so, Wasserman helped reshape discussion around how modern Olympic Games could integrate local legacy with global spectacle.

C. Debate and Criticism

Despite generally positive momentum, LA28 has not been without controversy. There were debates over referendum and local community interests, questions about commercialization, and concerns about balancing profit motives with the Olympic spirit. However, few critics could contest Wasserman’s overall competence in managing the enormous logistical and political challenge of staging a 17-day global event nearly a decade in the future.

VIII. The 2025–2026 Controversy: Epstein Files and Agency Fallout

While Wasserman enjoyed decades of growth and leadership, late 2025 into early 2026 saw his reputation and business empire confronted by unprecedented scrutiny.

A. Public Revelation of Emails

In January 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice released more than three million pages of documents related to the long-running investigations into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell. Among these pages were email exchanges from 2003 between Casey Wasserman and Maxwell, which included flirtatious and suggestive content. It was also noted that Wasserman had taken part in a 2002 humanitarian trip on Epstein’s plane, organized by the Clinton Foundation, though he was not directly accused of any criminal acts related to Epstein’s crimes.

The release of these documents placed Wasserman at the center of public controversy, stirring widespread reaction across the entertainment, sports, and public spheres.

B. Employer and Client Backlash

The response within Wasserman’s agency was immediate and dramatic. High-profile artists, including Chappell Roan and the band Wednesday, publicly announced they were leaving the agency, asserting that remaining would conflict with their personal values. Similarly, former U.S. soccer star Abby Wambach publicly called for Wasserman’s resignation, citing moral concerns.

Other clients and employees also resigned or demanded change, underscoring the reputational damage, with many highlighting that artistic and athletic representation requires trust and ethical alignment.

C. Internal Turmoil and Sale Decision

In the wake of escalating departures and public pressure, Wasserman sent a memo to the company’s approximately 4,000 employees saying he had “become a distraction” and announced that he had begun the process of selling his namesake agency, including Wasserman Music and Wasserman’s broader talent operations. He expressed regret for his past actions and the public discomfort caused by the revelations, stating he would step back from daily management and let longtime executive Mike Watts handle operations as the sale process progressed.

Investors and industry insiders – including Providence Equity Partners, which holds a controlling stake in the company – were reportedly discussing renaming the agency after Wasserman’s exit.

D. Olympic Committee Review and Support

Despite calls for his resignation from various quarters, the LA28 Executive Committee conducted a review and voted to retain Wasserman as chair of the 2028 Olympic organizing committee. The committee found his interactions with Epstein and Maxwell were limited to what was already publicly known, and determined that there was no further misconduct beyond those documented. He remains in his position for the Olympics, signaling institutional confidence amidst controversy.

E. Public Discourse and Societal Reflection

The controversy surrounding Wasserman reflects broader debates about accountability, historical associations with problematic figures, and what constitutes ethical leadership in a public era of transparency. Even individuals not directly implicated in wrongdoing can face intense scrutiny when historical connections to unsavory figures are revealed, especially given the emotional and moral weight of the Epstein scandal.