The Los Angeles 2028 Olympics Committee board of directors publicly backed chairman Casey Wasserman on Monday, February 11, 2026, following the release of Department of Justice documents detailing his past correspondence with convicted sex offender Ghislaine Maxwell. The vote of confidence comes as Wasserman faces mounting scrutiny and internal dissent at his Hollywood talent and sports representation firm, Wasserman.
The documents, released January 30, 2026, revealed a series of flirtatious emails exchanged between Wasserman and Maxwell in 2003. While the emails contained no evidence of criminal activity, they prompted a review by the LA28 board, which enlisted the law firm O’Melveny &. Myers LLP. The board stated it found Wasserman’s relationship with Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein did not extend beyond what was already publicly known and affirmed his single interaction with Epstein was a 2002 trip to Africa with the Clinton Foundation.
Despite the board’s support, the controversy has sparked a revolt among some of Wasserman’s clients. More than 20 artists have publicly expressed their discontent, with soccer star Abby Wambach announcing her departure as a management client on February 11, stating she was “following my gut and my values.” Wambach’s statement drew widespread support from other artists, including Mandy Patinkin. While a broader exodus of athletes has not yet materialized, the situation has prompted rivals like CAA, WME, UTA, and IAG to position themselves to potentially recruit clients leaving Wasserman.
The crisis raises questions about the future of Wasserman’s music division, which was significantly expanded with the 2021 acquisition of Paradigm’s North American music business. Some industry observers speculate whether Wasserman might be willing to sacrifice the music division to protect the more lucrative sports representation side of the business, which represents athletes in basketball, baseball, hockey, the NFL, and the Olympics.
Adding another layer of complexity is the involvement of Providence Equity Partners, which took a notable stake in Wasserman in November 2022. A source with knowledge of the situation claims Providence is now applying pressure on Wasserman regarding the client defections, though the firm’s specific guidance remains unclear. Representatives for Providence and Wasserman have not responded to requests for comment.
The fallout extends into the political arena. While Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has deferred to the LA28 Olympics Board regarding Wasserman’s position, several city and county officials have called for his resignation. Gubernatorial candidate Nithya Rahman has too urged Wasserman to step down. California Governor Gavin Newsom, however, offered no comment when questioned by reporters on Wednesday, February 12, stating he looked forward to discussing the matter with Wasserman.
Wasserman has touted securing over $2 billion in sponsorship revenue for the 2028 games, highlighting the potential logistical setbacks a major shake-up could cause. As of February 14, 2026, Wasserman remains chairman of the LA28 Olympics Committee, and the board has not indicated any further action regarding the controversy.
