In an internal memo, Casey Wasserman said he had “become a distraction” to the company and apologized for “past personal mistakes” that had caused “discomfort.”
Recent days have seen an exodus of talent from Wasserman Media Group after emails surfaced in the Epstein Files that were between the agency’s founder, Casey Wasserman, and Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell. Earlier in the month, Wasserman apologized for the emails amid calls for his resignation, yet that didn’t prevent a flood of artists and athletes the company represented from announcing their departures. Now, he’s announced that he’s preparing to sell the talent agency.
In an internal memo that surfaced last night, Casey Wasserman apologized for his past actions, but stood by the notion that the interactions between him, Ghislaine Maxwell, and Jeffrey Epstein occurred “years before their criminal conduct came to light.” These interactions included a humanitarian trip to Africa and a handful of emails that he “deeply regrets.” “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,” he penned.
Wasserman went on to state how important the talent agency was to him, saying that the company’s 4,000 employees are “the absolute best in the business” and that their hard work delivers the world-class representation that defines Wasserman Media Group. “At this moment, I believe that I have become a distraction for those efforts,” he said. “That is why I have begun the process of selling the company, an effort that is already underway.”
Clients who had left Wasserman in recent days included athletes like former soccer player Abby Wambach and major music artists such as Chappel Roan and Dropkick Murphys, as well as an increasing number of electronic music acts. Levity, Lane 8, and salute were among the first, while others, such as Seven Lions, Rezz, Above & Beyond, ODESZA, John Summit, Of The Trees, Tape B, and more, either announced their plans for departure or called for Wasserman’s resignation.
It is unclear whether these artists, who publicly announced they were parting ways with the company, will remain on the rosters of the new entities with their current agents or move to different agencies entirely. Many artists expressed the complexities of the situation, as, aside from legal or financial issues with contracts in place, personal relationships with agents were built, some spanning over a decade.
Mike Watts, the company’s COO, will take the reins as interim CEO of Wasserman Media Group and assume day-to-day control of the business during this process. According to Pollstar, Providence Equity Partners, a strategic investor since 2022, will have a “large say” in how the company continues to operate. Aside from Wasserman Music, the company’s holdings include Wasserman Sports, the Montag Group, Brillstein Entertainment Partners, and the Brands & Properties division.
Casey Wasserman stated that he will place his “full attention” on his role as chairman and president of the LA28 Olympic Committee moving forward. That committee reaffirmed his role in leading preparations for the Olympic Summer Games in Los Angeles on Wednesday amid calls for him to step down.
“I so appreciate the passion and fight you bring to your jobs. It’s why you succeed,” Casey Wasserman said in closing. “I am beyond proud of what this company has accomplished to date and excited to watch its next chapter.”
This is a developing story, and EDM Identity will provide additional updates as they become available.