Sources: Wasserman Music Announcement Imminent, Leadership Change Likely

While no formal announcement had been made about the future of Wasserman Music Agency, sources tell Pollstar that an announcement is imminent. The most likely scenario, of several, is that Casey Wasserman, the head of the agency, will step down and divest himself of the music agency’s holdings while a new internal team is put in place to run the business—which may still leave much unsettled.

Wasserman Music is currently facing an existential crisis following the Jan. 30 DOJ release of its Jeffrey Epstein files, which contained salacious emails between Casey Wasserman, head of the agency, and Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s former partner convicted of sex trafficking and currently serving a prison sentence.

This week, numerous artists on Wasserman Music’s impressive music roster spoke out against Casey Wasserman and announced they were either leaving or intending to leave the agency for representation elsewhere. Additionally, reports surfaced of Wasserman agents calling for leadership change or the agency could risk losing their services.

Pop superstar Chappell Roan helped lead the artist exodus on Monday by writing on her Instagram stories that “As of today, I am no longer represented by Wasserman, the talent agency led by Casey Wasserman. I hold my teams to the highest standards and have a duty to protect them as well. No artist, agent or employee should ever be expected to defend or overlook actions that conflict so deeply with our own moral values. I have deep respect and appreciation for the agents and staff who work tirelessly for their artists and I refuse to passively stand by. Artists deserve representation that aligns with their values and supports their safety and dignity. This decision reflects my belief that meaningful change in our industry requires accountability and leadership that earns trust.”

John Summit also released a statement regarding Casey Wasserman’s involvement with Maxwell, writing, “If Casey Wasserman doesn’t step down, I will not remain with the agency. His actions do not reflect the integrity of the agents I work with, and if change does not happen, we will take our talents elsewhere.”

Other artists to express similar sentiments included Orville Peck, Best Coast, Chelsea Cutler, Weyes Blood, Wednesday, Sylvan Esso, Beach Bunny, Water From Your Eyes, Sleighbells and Dropkick Murphys.

Caught between an increasingly distressed asset or keeping the business’ value, a decision to step down would seem the most prudent course of action, a decision its investor, Providence Equity Partners, would more than likely support. The question still remains on whether the company might sell to another agency, which would be anathema to many at the agency, or promote from within to keep its current leadership team intact. That team includes Marty Diamond, Lee Anderson, Tom Windish, Jackie Nalpant, Brent Smith and Kevin Shivers.

It is unclear what will happen with Wasserman Music’s international holding, which was acquired from Paradigm separately from the North American business. 

In light of the email’s release, Wasserman released a statement saying, “I deeply regret my correspondence with Ghislaine Maxwell which took place over two decades ago, long before her horrific crimes came to light.” Wasserman emphasized he had “never had a personal or business relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.” Wasserman also shared in his statement that he had flown on Epstein’s private jet as part of a 2002 humanitarian trip with a Clinton Foundation delegation. “I am terribly sorry for having any association with either of them,” Wasserman said in his statement.

Perhaps making Wasserman’s decision to step down less of a sure thing, was yesterday’s announcement by the International Olympic Committee, which after reviewing the Epstein files, voted to continue with Casey Wasserman as chairman of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“We found Mr. Wasserman’s relationship with Epstein and Maxwell did not go beyond what has been publicly documented,” the Executive Committee of the Board said in a statement. “Twenty-three years ago, before Mr. Wasserman or the public knew of Epstein and Maxwell’s deplorable crimes, Mr. Wasserman and his then-wife flew on a humanitarian mission to Africa on Epstein’s plane at the invitation of the Clinton Foundation. This was his single interaction with Epstein. Shortly after, he traded the publicly-known emails with Maxwell. The Executive Committee of the Board has determined that based on these facts, as well as the strong leadership he has exhibited over the past ten years, Mr. Wasserman should continue to lead LA28 and deliver a safe and successful games.”

Even if Wasserman steps down, it’s unclear whether all the artists will remain with their agents. 

The one thing for sure at this juncture: whatever is decided, Wasserman Music is going to be a different entity going forward.