Talent Agent Casey Wasserman Selling Company After Epstein Files Fallout

Wasserman cites becoming a "distraction" as reason for selling sports marketing and talent agency.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Casey Wasserman, the founder and CEO of the Wasserman Group, a prominent sports marketing and talent agency, has announced he is selling the company after his past correspondence with Ghislaine Maxwell surfaced in the Jeffrey Epstein files. In a memo to the agency's 4,000 employees, Wasserman said he has "begun the process of selling the company" as he has "become a distraction" to the firm's efforts.

Why it matters

The release of the Epstein files has led to a public fallout for numerous prominent individuals associated with the convicted sex offender, even if their connections were limited. Wasserman's decision to sell his company highlights the reputational damage that can occur from such associations, even decades later.

The details

In January, the Justice Department began releasing over 3 million pages of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking crimes. The files revealed that Wasserman had flown on Epstein's private jet and exchanged emails with Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's longtime associate who is serving a 20-year prison sentence. While Wasserman said his interactions were limited to a humanitarian trip to Africa and a few emails from 2003, the revelations led to backlash from some of his high-profile clients, including singer Chappell Roan and Olympian Abby Wambach, who said they planned to leave the agency.

  • In January 2026, the Justice Department began releasing over 3 million pages of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein's crimes.
  • In 2003, Wasserman exchanged emails with Ghislaine Maxwell.

The players

Casey Wasserman

The founder and CEO of the Wasserman Group, a prominent sports marketing and talent agency.

Ghislaine Maxwell

Epstein's longtime associate who is serving a 20-year prison sentence for sex trafficking girls for Epstein.

Jeffrey Epstein

The convicted sex offender who died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges.

Chappell Roan

A singer who said she planned to leave Wasserman's agency over his association with Epstein.

Abby Wambach

An Olympian who said she planned to leave Wasserman's agency over his association with Epstein.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The pain experienced by the victims of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell is unimaginable – and I'm glad, as I'm sure you all are, that those who helped them commit their crimes are rightly being held accountable.”

— Casey Wasserman, Founder and CEO, Wasserman Group (Memo to Wasserman Group employees)

“It was years before their criminal conduct came to light, and, in its entirety, consisted of one humanitarian trip to Africa and a handful of emails that I deeply regret sending. And I'm heartbroken that my brief contact with them 23 years ago has caused you, this company, and its clients so much hardship over the past days and weeks.”

— Casey Wasserman, Founder and CEO, Wasserman Group (Memo to Wasserman Group employees)

What’s next

Wasserman said he has already begun the process of selling the Wasserman Group, and that Mike Watts will assume day-to-day control of the business while Wasserman focuses on his efforts to bring the 2028 Olympic Games to Los Angeles.

The takeaway

This case highlights the reputational risks that can arise from even limited associations with high-profile individuals involved in criminal misconduct, even decades later. Wasserman's decision to sell his company underscores the potential consequences of such connections and the need for careful vetting of business relationships.