Wasserman’s agency The Team draws suitors

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After Casey Wasserman unexpectedly put his music and sports management company up for sale, several private equity firms and influential figures in Hollywood – including United Talent Agency and veteran agent Patrick Whitesell – have indicated they’re interested in purchasing portions of it.

Earlier this year, Wasserman faced public scrutiny when old, revealing emails he sent to Ghislaine Maxwell, a close associate of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, became public through documents released by the U.S. Justice Department.

I’m hearing from a few sources close to the sale – though they’re not allowed to officially talk about it – that the agency auction is just getting started. It’s very early days right now.

Several groups submitted initial bids in the auction earlier this week, according to two sources familiar with the process.

I’m so excited for the Team – that’s what they’re calling themselves now, after changing their name last month! Everyone’s saying they could be worth around $3 billion, which is amazing!

Olympics

Recently revealed emails between Ghislaine Maxwell, a close associate of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, could jeopardize Casey Wasserman’s position as the head of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics organizing committee.

Providence Equity Partners, the majority owner, is exploring options for The Team, including a full sale of the company. They’ve also discussed selling off Wasserman’s smaller ownership share, or selling most of the company while remaining a minority investor. Another possibility is to break the company into separate business units and sell each one individually.

Wasserman and Providence represent a fantastic group of musicians, like Kendrick Lamar, Coldplay, and Ed Sheeran. They’re also very successful in sports marketing, and this area is expected to become even more valuable as major sporting events continue to attract large audiences and significant investment.

Wasserman, who didn’t offer a statement, has the power to block any sale of the company he’s spent 25 years developing.

UTA is reportedly a leading contender in the acquisition, but declined to comment. Adding the Team’s sports marketing and music representation businesses would significantly expand the Beverly Hills agency’s reach and the number of clients it represents.

Hollywood Inc.

Casey Wasserman’s agency has a new name: ‘The Team.’ Wasserman and his investors are currently working to sell the company, which was previously known by his name.

Since leaving Endeavor last year – the talent agency he co-founded with Ari Emanuel – Whitesell has been actively investing in sports, media, and entertainment. He started a new company backed by Silver Lake, and this past spring, he launched WIN Sports Group, which represents professional football players.

Whitesell wasn’t immediately available for comment.

Permira, a European investment firm, is also reportedly interested, according to someone familiar with the matter. They haven’t provided any official statement.

The New York Times first reported that Permira, UTA and Whitesell had expressed interest.

According to experts, the sale is likely to take several months, possibly lasting into the summer. The process could become complex if Providence chooses to dismantle the company before the sale is finalized.

UTA was unable to purchase the whole company due to its ownership of the Brillstein television division. An agreement with the Writers Guild of America restricts the agency from owning television production companies.

Moelis & Company is handling the sale process, but they haven’t provided any details about it.

Hollywood Inc.

As a big fan, I was really pleased to hear that the agency managed to strike a deal where they get to keep owning their production company – that’s huge! Plus, they’re also committing to getting rid of packaging over time, which is awesome to see. It feels like a win-win for everyone involved.

Casey Wasserman leads LA28, the organization responsible for hosting the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles in two years.

After emails from 2003 between Wasserman and Maxwell came to light, several musicians and athletes—including pop artist Chappell Roan and soccer star Abby Wambach—announced they would be leaving Wasserman, the agency, in order to uphold their personal values.

Wasserman apologized to his staff for “past personal mistakes” and said he would sell the agency.

He wasn’t closely connected to Epstein, but he did travel on Epstein’s private jet once with former President Clinton. They were on a humanitarian mission to Africa in September 2002.

Clinton fundraiser Steve Wasserman, whose grandfather Lew Wasserman was a powerful figure in Hollywood and helped Bill Clinton win the presidency in 1992, flew on Jeffrey Epstein’s jet with several other people. Those on board included Wasserman’s wife, Laura, actor Kevin Spacey, Epstein, and Ghislaine Maxwell, who was later convicted of sexual abuse, as well as security personnel.

The LA28 board’s executive committee voted unanimously to retain Wasserman as chairman, praising his effective leadership of the Games.

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2026-04-22 04:02