One of the world’s largest sports and entertainment agencies has announced a major rebrand following renewed scrutiny surrounding its founder’s past communications with Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell.
The company formerly known as Wasserman Media Group revealed Monday that it will now operate under the name “THE TEAM,” a move that comes after emails between founder Casey Wasserman and Maxwell surfaced in documents released earlier this year as part of the Justice Department’s Epstein files.
Wasserman, a prominent Democratic donor and longtime fundraiser for the Clinton family, launched the agency in 2002 and built it into a global powerhouse representing athletes, entertainers, and major brands. The firm’s client roster has included stars across the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL, along with international soccer players and musicians such as Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, and Travis Scott.
In a statement posted to the company’s website, leadership said the new name reflects the organization’s collective identity rather than its founder.
“As of today, Wasserman is rebranding as THE TEAM,” the company announced. “For 24 years, this company has been shaped by our work, our people and our unifying belief in the power of sports, music and entertainment. That philosophy remains the foundation of who we are — and where we are going. We go forward as we always have: Together.”
The rebranding follows the release of emails exchanged between Wasserman and Maxwell in the early 2000s. The correspondence, which reportedly spanned several years, included discussions about personal meetings, real estate matters, and a number of flirtatious or risqué remarks.
In one message from 2003, Wasserman wrote to Maxwell, “I think of you all the time. So, what do I have to do to see you in a tight leather outfit?” Maxwell reportedly responded in another exchange by offering a massage that could “drive a man wild.” Additional messages referenced potential visits and joking comments about walking along the beach unnoticed.
The communications occurred more than a decade before Maxwell was convicted in 2021 on federal sex trafficking charges related to her role in Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse network.
The Justice Department’s release of Epstein-related documents in January triggered renewed scrutiny of individuals who had contact with Epstein or Maxwell. Shortly afterward, reports indicated that several clients began distancing themselves from Wasserman’s agency.
Wasserman has denied having any personal or business relationship with Epstein beyond limited contact. He also said he “deeply regrets” his email correspondence with Maxwell.
The controversy also revealed that Wasserman was among passengers on a 2002 flight involving Epstein’s private jet, often referred to as the “Lolita Express.” According to reporting by the Los Angeles Times, that trip included a Clinton Foundation delegation that featured Wasserman, his then-wife Laura Ziffren, Epstein, Maxwell, former President Bill Clinton and aides, businessman Ronald Burkle, and former Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater, along with several unidentified young women.
Amid the fallout earlier this year, Wasserman announced plans to sell his agency and shift his focus toward his role as chairman of the organizing committee for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
However, his continued leadership of the Olympic organizing committee has sparked political pressure. Several Los Angeles officials, including Mayor Karen Bass, multiple city council members, City Controller Kenneth Mejia, and Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn, have publicly called for him to step down.
A resolution introduced by Los Angeles City Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez expresses concern about the potential conflict between the Olympic movement’s values and Wasserman’s association with figures connected to the Epstein case. While the measure stops short of demanding his resignation, it calls for a transparent review of the situation.
If approved, the resolution would be forwarded to members of the LA28 organizing committee, the International Olympic Committee, and other stakeholders involved in the upcoming Games.
For now, the LA28 board has defended Wasserman, saying an independent review conducted by outside counsel found no evidence that his relationship with Epstein or Maxwell extended beyond what had already been publicly documented.
Casey Wasserman is the son of legendary Hollywood talent agent Lew Wasserman. After inheriting significant wealth when he turned 21, he launched his own company and eventually built one of the most influential agencies in sports and entertainment.
Whether the company’s rebrand to “THE TEAM” will help distance the organization from the controversy surrounding its founder remains uncertain.
