Wasserman Talent Agency Sold Amid Epstein Fallout

Casey Wasserman cites controversy and client departures as reasons for selling his namesake agency.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Casey Wasserman has confirmed he is selling his talent agency, Wasserman, amid escalating fallout tied to documents released in the Jeffrey Epstein case. Wasserman cited the controversy and recent client and executive departures as reasons for the sale, stating he has become a "distraction" and that he is "deeply sorry" his past personal mistakes have caused discomfort for the company's employees, clients, and partners.

Why it matters

The decision to sell the agency follows intense scrutiny after newly unsealed Epstein-related materials included email exchanges between Wasserman and Ghislaine Maxwell from 2003. While Wasserman has maintained his interactions were limited and occurred before Maxwell's criminal conduct became public, the fallout has already had a measurable impact across the representation business, with multiple music and sports clients exiting or signaling plans to leave the agency in recent days.

The details

In an internal memo, Wasserman wrote that he has "begun the process of selling the company" and that Wasserman president Mike Watts "will assume day-to-day control of the business" while Wasserman focuses on his role leading the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games organizing committee. Wasserman reiterated that his contact with Maxwell "consisted of one humanitarian trip to Africa and a handful of emails" that he "deeply regrets sending." The fallout has led to the departure of clients such as Chappell Roan, Orville Peck, and Sylvan Esso, as well as internal pressure from agents exploring buyout scenarios or spin-offs to protect client relationships.

  • On Feb. 11, 2026, The Wall Street Journal reported that Wasserman had formally put the agency on the market and informed staff of the move.
  • On Jan. 31, 2026, a day after the release of the latest round of files in the Epstein case, Wasserman sent a statement to The Hollywood Reporter apologizing for his involvement with Maxwell.

The players

Casey Wasserman

The founder and owner of the Wasserman talent agency who is selling the company amid fallout from his past connections to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.

Mike Watts

The president of Wasserman who will assume day-to-day control of the business while Wasserman focuses on his role leading the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games organizing committee.

Ghislaine Maxwell

The former associate of Jeffrey Epstein who was convicted of sex trafficking and other charges related to Epstein's abuse of underage girls.

Jeffrey Epstein

The financier who was convicted of sex crimes and died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.

Chappell Roan, Orville Peck, Sylvan Esso, Bethany Cosentino (Best Coast)

Music acts that have exited or signaled plans to leave the Wasserman agency in recent days amid the fallout.

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What they’re saying

“At this moment, I believe that I have become a distraction to those efforts. That is why I have begun the process of selling the company, an effort that is already underway.”

— Casey Wasserman, Founder and Owner, Wasserman (Internal Memo)

“First and foremost, I want to apologize to you. I'm deeply sorry that my past personal mistakes have caused you so much discomfort. 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.”

— Casey Wasserman, Founder and Owner, Wasserman (Internal Memo)

“I deeply regret my correspondence with Ghislaine Maxwell which took place over two decades ago, long before her horrific crimes came to light. I never had a personal or business relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.”

— Casey Wasserman (The Hollywood Reporter)

“I did not consent to having my name or my career tied to someone with this kind of association to exploitation.”

— Bethany Cosentino, Musician, Best Coast (Twitter)

What’s next

The sale of the Wasserman talent agency is currently underway, with president Mike Watts assuming day-to-day control of the business while founder Casey Wasserman focuses on his role with the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games organizing committee.

The takeaway

This case highlights the significant reputational and business risks that can arise from even limited associations with figures like Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, as well as the challenges talent agencies face in maintaining client relationships and protecting their brands in the face of such controversies.