Casey Wasserman Sells Talent Agency After Risqué Emails with Ghislaine Maxwell Surface

Wasserman told staffers he had 'become a distraction' to the firm's work after the emails were revealed.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Sports and entertainment executive Casey Wasserman is reportedly putting his talent and marketing firm up for sale after newly surfaced emails revealed flirtatious exchanges with Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell. Wasserman told staffers at his eponymous agency on Friday night that he had 'become a distraction' to the firm's work, leading to the departure of several high-profile clients.

Why it matters

The revelations about Wasserman's past ties to Epstein's circle have caused significant damage to his reputation and business, highlighting the ongoing fallout from the Epstein scandal and the consequences for those associated with it, even tangentially.

The details

In 2003, Wasserman and Maxwell exchanged a series of sexually suggestive emails, including one where Maxwell wrote she would be 'wearing a tight leather flying suit' and another where Wasserman wrote about a 'massage concept' in Maxwell's bed. The emails surfaced amid growing scrutiny over Wasserman's past connections to Epstein, including a 2002 trip to Africa on Epstein's private jet.

  • In March 2003, Maxwell wrote the email about the 'tight leather flying suit'.
  • In April 2003, Wasserman wrote the email about the 'massage concept' in Maxwell's bed.

The players

Casey Wasserman

A sports and entertainment executive who is putting his talent and marketing firm up for sale after the surfacing of emails between him and Ghislaine Maxwell.

Ghislaine Maxwell

A longtime associate of Jeffrey Epstein who is serving a 20-year federal prison sentence following her conviction on sex-trafficking charges.

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What they’re saying

“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 (Wall Street Journal)

What’s next

Wasserman will stay on as chairman of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics after the organizing committee voted unanimously to keep him on board, while a longtime executive, Mike Watts, will assume day-to-day control of the talent agency.

The takeaway

The Wasserman case highlights the ongoing fallout from the Epstein scandal, with even tangential associations to Epstein's circle leading to significant professional consequences for high-profile individuals. It serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of maintaining appropriate boundaries and the lasting impact that inappropriate behavior can have on one's career and reputation.