Casey Wasserman: Difference between revisions
Content deleted Content added
Filled in 6 bare reference(s) with reFill 2 |
Lepricavark (talk | contribs) m prepended 'Use mdy dates' tag |
||
| (90 intermediate revisions by 46 users not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Short description|American businessman}} |
|||
| ⚫ | |||
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2024}} |
|||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|June 28, 1974}}, [[Los Angeles County, California]], U.S.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.californiabirthindex.org/birth/casey_w_myers_born_1974_12348120|title=Casey W Myers, Born 06/28/1974 in California|website=Californiabirthindex.org|access-date=9 March 2022}}</ref> |
|||
| |
| office1 = [[President of the Organising Committee for the Olympic Games|President]] of the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee |
||
| |
| term_start1 = February 5, 2018 |
||
| |
| term_end1 = |
||
| predecessor1 = [[Tony Estanguet]]<br/><small>(Paris 2024)</small> |
|||
| ⚫ | |||
| |
| successor1 = |
||
| |
| leader1 = [[Thomas Bach]] |
||
| ⚫ | |||
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1974|06|28}} |
|||
| birth_place = [[Los Angeles]], [[California]], United States |
|||
| death_date = |
|||
| death_place = |
|||
| death_cause = |
|||
| resting_place = |
|||
| resting_place_coordinates = |
|||
| residence = |
|||
| nationality = |
|||
| other_names = |
|||
| known_for = |
|||
| education = |
|||
| alma_mater = [[University of California, Los Angeles]] |
|||
| employer = |
|||
| occupation = Businessman, philanthropist |
|||
| title = |
|||
| salary = |
|||
| networth = |
|||
| term = |
|||
| predecessor = |
|||
| successor = |
|||
| party = |
|||
| boards = |
|||
| religion = |
|||
| ⚫ | |||
| children = |
|||
| relatives = [[Lew Wasserman]] (maternal grandfather) |
|||
}} |
}} |
||
'''Casey Wasserman''' (born '''Casey Myers'''; June 28, 1974) is an entertainment executive and sports agent executive who owned the now defunct [[Arena Football League]] team the [[Los Angeles Avengers]]. He headed the successful [[Los Angeles bid for the 2024 Summer Olympics|Los Angeles bid]] to host the [[2028 Summer Olympics]] and became president of the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Mullen |first1=Liz |title=Casey Wasserman |journal=Sports Business Journal |date=10 November 2003 }}</ref> |
|||
'''Casey Wasserman''' (born '''Casey Myers'''; June 28, 1974)<ref name="auto"/> is an American entertainment executive. |
|||
He is the founder, chief executive officer and chairman of [[Wasserman Media Group|Wasserman]]; Chairman of [[LA28]], the Organizing Committee for the [[2028 Summer Olympics]] in [[Los Angeles]]; president and chief executive officer of the [[Wasserman Foundation]]; and chairman of the Los Angeles [[Super Bowl]] Host Committee for [[Super Bowl LVI]] in 2022. |
|||
==Family background and education== |
==Family background and education== |
||
Casey Wasserman is the son of |
Casey Wasserman is the son of the Los Angeles [[socialite]] and [[philanthropist]] Lynne Wasserman and Jack Myers (formerly Meyerowitz), who are both [[American Jews|Jewish]]. Wasserman's sister is comedian Carol Ann Leif.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Dagan|first=Carmel|date=2011-08-19|title=Edie Wasserman dies at 95|url=https://variety.com/2011/film/news/edie-wasserman-dies-at-95-1118041521/|access-date=2022-01-18|website=Variety|language=en-US}}</ref> |
||
His parents were divorced and, in 1995, Casey took his mother's [[Married and maiden names|maiden name]], which is also the last name of his famous grandfather, [[MCA Inc.|MCA]] studio executive [[Lew Wasserman]], whom he credits as his greatest teacher. The two would have breakfast together every Saturday and Sunday from the time when Casey was a child until the elder Wasserman's death in 2002.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mullen |first1=Liz |title=Casey Wasserman |url=https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2003/11/10/Forty-Under-40/Casey-Wasserman.aspx |publisher=SportsBusiness Journal |access-date= August 1, 2018 |date=November 10, 2003}}</ref> |
|||
His parents were divorced and he took his mother's [[Married and maiden names|maiden name]], which is also the last name of his famous grandfather, [[MCA Inc.|MCA]] studio executive [[Lew Wasserman]], whom he credits as his greatest teacher. The two would have breakfast together every Saturday and Sunday from the time when Casey was a child until the elder Wasserman's death in 2002.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |last1=Mullen |first1=Liz |date=10 November 2003 |title=Casey Wasserman |url=https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2003/11/10/Forty-Under-40/Casey-Wasserman.aspx |website=Sports Business Journal |publisher=Leaders Group}}</ref> The younger Wasserman said, "He was my most valuable resource in terms of information. In broad terms he knew what he wanted to do and I followed in his footsteps."<ref>{{cite web |title=Casey Wasserman's L.A. story goes far beyond 2024 Olympic bid |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/losangeles/news/2017/05/11/casey-wasserman-story-goes-far-beyond-2024-bid.html |publisher=Los Angeles Business Journal}}</ref> |
|||
Wasserman obtained a [[Bachelor of Arts|Bachelor of Arts degree]] in [[Political science|Political Science]] from the [[University of California at Los Angeles]] (UCLA).<ref name=Bruin/> After graduation from UCLA, he worked as an [[Investment banking|investment banker]].<ref name=Bruin>{{cite web|last1=Street |first1=Scott |title=Back to his Roots |url=http://www.dailybruin.ucla.edu/db/issues/99/10.26/sports.WASSERMAN.html |publisher=Dailt Bruin |date=27 April 2006 |url-status=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060427112640/http://www.dailybruin.ucla.edu/db/issues/99/10.26/sports.WASSERMAN.html |archivedate=27 April 2006 }}</ref> |
|||
He is |
He is separated from [[Film score|movie music]] supervisor Laura Ziffren Wasserman, whose grandfather [[Paul Ziffren]] was a [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]] leader and chaired the Los Angeles 1984 Summer Olympics Organizing Committee.<ref>{{cite web|title=Laura Ziffren|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0956341/bio|website=IMDb}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Johnson|first=Ted|date=2016-10-13|title=Hillary Clinton's Final L.A. Campaign Fundraiser Will Be at Site Steeped in Hollywood-D.C. History|url=https://variety.com/2016/biz/news/hillary-clinton-fundraiser-casey-wasserman-lew-wasserman-1201888222/|access-date=2022-01-08|website=Variety|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Johnson|first1=Ted|last2=Patten|first2=Dominic|date=2020-09-05|title=Kamala Harris' Big Hollywood Virtual Fundraiser Rakes In Big Big Bucks; Ryan Murphy, Dana Walden, Chrisette Hudlin, & Laura Shell Organized, Katzenberg & JJ Abrams Co-Hosted|url=https://deadline.com/2020/09/kamala-harris-hollywood-fundrasier-8-million-ryan-murphy-jeffrey-katzenberg-jj-abrams-dana-walden-jennifer-salke-joe-biden-donald-trump-1234571352/|access-date=2022-01-08|website=Deadline|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Reich|first=Kenneth|date=June 2, 1991|title=Paul Ziffren, Democratic Power in State, Dies at 77 : Politics: He was credited with rebuilding the party in the '50s. He also was board chairman for '84 Olympics.|work=Los Angeles Times|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-06-02-mn-458-story.html}}</ref> They have two children.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2016-06-21|title=Laura Wasserman: From Hollywood to High Point Leaving a Los Angeles Legacy|url=https://sidelinesmagazine.com/general/laura-wasserman-from-hollywood-to-high-point-leaving-a-los-angeles-legacy.html|access-date=2022-01-21|website=Sidelines Magazine|language=en-US}}</ref> |
||
==Arena Football== |
|||
==Sports and talent business== |
|||
In 1998, |
In 1998, Wasserman purchased the [[Los Angeles Avengers]] of the [[Arena Football League (1987–2008)|Arena Football League]] (AFL). He paid about $5 million for the franchise rights. Despite his youth, he was elected chairman of the league. In 2002 he negotiated a groundbreaking national television [[AFL on NBC|partnership]] between the league and [[NBC]] television, as well as the collective bargaining agreement with its players. On Saturday, April 18, 2009, Wasserman sent an email to AFL's ''de facto'' commissioner informing him of his decision to terminate the L.A. Avengers' membership in the Arena Football League.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Farmer|first1=Sam|title=Avengers to fold Arena Football League franchise|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-apr-20-sp-avengers20-story.html|work=Los Angeles Times|date=20 April 2009}}</ref> |
||
==Wasserman (Agency)== |
|||
The same year he purchased the football team, Casey Wasserman started [[Wasserman Media Group|Wasserman]] (then-called Wasserman Media Group), a sports marketing and talent management company, of which he remains chief executive officer. In 2016, Wasserman Media Group rebranded as Wasserman and is frequently referred to as "Team Wass".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thedrum.com/news/2016/02/17/wasserman-undergoes-rebrand-reflect-its-evolution-just-sports|title=Wasserman undergoes rebrand to reflect its evolution from just sports|website=The Drum|access-date=9 March 2022}}</ref> |
|||
The same year that he purchased the football team, Casey Wasserman started [[Wasserman Media Group|Wasserman]] (then-called Wasserman Media Group), a sports marketing and talent management company, of which he remains CEO. |
|||
In 2002, WMG acquired the sports marketing and naming-rights company Envision and the action sports marketing and representation firm The Familie, based in Carlsbad, California. |
|||
In March 2021, Wasserman acquired [[Paradigm Talent Agency]]'s North American music assets and within weeks launched [[Wasserman Music]], a live music division of Wasserman.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Aswad|first=Jem|date=2021-03-17|title=Casey Wasserman to Acquire Paradigm Agency's North American Music Assets|url=https://variety.com/2021/music/news/casey-wasserman-paradigm-music-1234933081/|access-date=2022-02-17|website=Variety|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last1=Aswad|first1=Cynthia Littleton,Jem|last2=Littleton|first2=Cynthia|last3=Aswad|first3=Jem|date=2021-04-21|title=Casey Wasserman Completes Paradigm Purchase, Unveils Wasserman Music Agency|url=https://variety.com/2021/music/news/casey-wasserman-music-paradigm-1234956896/|access-date=2022-02-17|website=Variety|language=en-US}}</ref> |
|||
In 2004, WMG purchased 411 Productions and a few months later relaunched it as Studio 411, a [[sports entertainment]] [[film studio]]. The business was designed to provide financing, obtain sponsorships and arrange distribution in support of original productions.<ref>{{cite web|last1=O'Brein |first1=Sean |title=Wasserman Launches Studio411 - Transworld Business Magazine |url=http://www.twsbiz.com/twbiz/features/article/0%2C21214%2C1028079%2C00.html |publisher=Transworld Business |date=22 May 2006 |url-status=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060522123304/http://www.twsbiz.com/twbiz/features/article/0%2C21214%2C1028079%2C00.html |archivedate=22 May 2006 }}</ref> The company also made an unsuccessful bid to sign up enough athletes in BMX, skateboarding and freestyle motocross to form PGA-like sanctioning bodies in those sports.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Lidz|first1=Franz|title=Extreme Dream Casey Wasserman, grandson of a legendary movie mogul, has become a force in action sports|url=https://www.si.com/vault/2004/04/05/366874/extreme-dream-casey-wasserman-grandson-of-a-legendary-movie-mogul-has-become-a-force-in-action-sports|website=SI.com}}</ref> |
|||
=== Olympic Games === |
|||
In 2014, Los Angeles Mayor [[Eric Garcetti]] appointed Casey Wasserman to head the [[Los Angeles bid for the 2024 Summer Olympics]].<ref>{{cite web |title=About Us - Wasserman Foundation|url=http://www.wassermanfoundation.org/about/|access-date=2022-01-08|website=Wassermanfoundation.org}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Speaker {{!}} Milken Institute|url=https://milkeninstitute.org/events/summer20/speakers/44351|access-date=2022-01-08|website=milkeninstitute.org|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Daniel|first=Etchells|date=14 January 2018|title=Los Angeles 2028 chairman Wasserman named 2017 Sports Executive of the Year|work=Inside the Games|url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1060122/los-angeles-2028-chairman-wasserman-named-2017-sports-executive-of-the-year}}</ref> The [[International Olympic Committee]] (IOC) ultimately awarded the [[2024 Summer Olympics]] to [[Paris]] in 2017 and chose Los Angeles as host for the [[2028 Summer Olympics]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Chavez|first=Chris|title=2024 Olympics awarded to Paris, 2028 Games to L.A.|url=https://www.si.com/olympics/2017/09/12/olympics-2024-paris-2028-los-angeles-officially-set|access-date=2022-01-08|website=Sports Illustrated|language=en-us}}</ref> |
|||
In January 2006, WMG acquired the NBA and MLB sports agent business of [[Arn Tellem]], a well-known sports agent who joined WMG as well. Several of Tellem's sports agent colleagues also joined the company as part of the deal.<ref>{{cite web|title=Wasserman Acquires Tellem Business; SFX Promotes Pelinka|url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/article/100061|website=www.sportsbusinessdaily.com}}</ref> Until he retired in June, 2015, Tellem was a principal at the company and ran one of its management groups.<ref name="autogenerated25">{{cite web|last1=Tellem|first1=Arn|title=Arn Tellem: Why I'm making the jump from sports agent to NBA front office|url=https://www.si.com/nba/2015/06/05/arn-tellem-detroit-pistons-sports-agent-nba|website=SI.com}}</ref> |
|||
On December 11, 2018, Wasserman and Garcetti were criticized by [[Larry Nassar]] survivors' attorney John Manly for their silence on the [[USA Gymnastics sex abuse scandal]] and continued partnership with the [[United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee]] (USOPC, then-called United States Olympic Committee [USOC]).<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|date=2018-12-12|title=Nassar survivors attorney calls on LA 2028, Los Angeles put USOC partnership on hold|url=https://www.ocregister.com/nassar-survivors-attorney-calls-on-la-2028-los-angeles-put-usoc-partnership-on-hold|access-date=2022-02-17|website=Orange County Register|language=en-US}}</ref> Wasserman and Garcetti issued statements condemning Nassar's crimes and those who abetted him, and defending the response by Olympic leadership.<ref name=":1" /> |
|||
In November 2006, the company acquired [[Association football|soccer]] agency, SFX, in the UK.<ref name=sfxacq>{{cite web|url=http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/cgi/news/release?id=183850|title=Wasserman Media Group Acquires SFX Sports Group|publisher=Wasserman Media Group|website=www.prnewswire.co.uk}}</ref> Through that acquisition, WMG came to represent such players as [[Steven Gerrard]], [[Robbie Keane]], [[Jamie Carragher]], [[Michael Owen]], [[Tim Cahill]], [[Jonathan Woodgate]], [[Wes Brown]], [[Scott Parker (footballer)|Scott Parker]], [[Jack Wilshere]], [[Park Ji-Sung]], [[Shay Given]], [[Tim Howard]] and [[Emile Heskey]]. |
|||
| ⚫ | On June 19, 2020, Wasserman reportedly wrote IOC President |
||
In June 2007, WMG expanded its consulting and media and property capabilities by purchasing Raleigh, North Carolina–based OnSport.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2007/06/Issue-188/Sports-Industrialists/Wasserman-Media-Group-Acquiring-Gary-Stevensons-Onsport.aspx|title=Wasserman Media Group Acquiring Gary Stevenson's OnSport|website=www.sportsbusinessdaily.com}}</ref> |
|||
Critics of the 2028 Summer Olympics such as the [[NOlympics LA]] [[coalition]] have argued that [[Homelessness in the United States|Los Angeles' large homeless population]] will be removed from city streets in the lead-up to the [[Olympic Games ceremony|Olympic Games Ceremony]], which Casey Wasserman affirmed was "a difficult situation" but could take place.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Chandler|first=Jenna|date=2018-07-12|title=How will LA treat the homeless when it hosts the Olympics in 2028?|url=https://la.curbed.com/2018/7/12/17454676/los-angeles-olympics-homeless-police-militarization-security|access-date=2022-01-21|website=Curbed LA|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Wharton|first1=David|last2=Smith|first2=Dakota|date=November 17, 2021|title=2028 L.A. Olympics: Agreement outlines key issues but final price tag remains unclear|work=Los Angeles Times|url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/olympics/story/2021-11-17/la-2028-olympics-contract|access-date=January 20, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Wharton|first=David|date=November 18, 2021|title=Q&A: How will the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles affect me?|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/olympics/story/2021-11-18/how-will-the-2028-olympics-in-los-angeles-affect-me|access-date=January 20, 2022}}</ref> In a November 18, 2021 [[KPCC]] interview, ''AirTalk'' host [[Larry Mantle]] asked Wasserman to expound on the concerns; Wasserman replied, "We're not responsible for solving homeless. We're responsible for delivering the Olympic Games as a private enterprise in 2028."<ref>{{Cite web|title=Gas Prices Are Soaring. Why? And What Could It Mean For The Biden Administration And Dems?|url=https://www.kpcc.org/show/airtalk/2021-11-18/gas-prices-are-soaring-why-and-what-could-it-mean-for-the-biden-administration-and-dems|access-date=2022-01-21|website=Kpcc.org|language=en}}</ref> |
|||
In early 2011, WMG bought London-based media rights manager and advisory firm Reel Enterprises.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.investinuk.net/investmentuk/?p=586|title=US based Wasserman Media Group acquires the UK's rights manager and advisory firm Reel Enterprises|website=www.investinuk.net}}</ref> |
|||
==Philanthrophy== |
|||
Casey Wasserman acts as president and chief executive officer of the Wasserman Foundation, a [[charitable organization]] founded by Lew and Edie Wasserman in 1952.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Wasserman Foundation - About the Foundation |url=http://www.wassermanfoundation.org/wf/history.html |date=9 December 2006 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061209050536/http://www.wassermanfoundation.org/wf/history.html |archive-date= 9 December 2006 }}</ref> |
|||
That year WMG expanded its golf talent roster by acquiring SFX Golf in April 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/wasserman_growth_continues_with_sfx_golf_purchase/|title=Wasserman growth continues with SFX Golf purchase|date=12 April 2011 |publisher=}}</ref> |
|||
The Wasserman Foundation is a major contributor to the Los Angeles Police Foundation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.wassermanfoundation.org/giving/|title=Giving | Wasserman Foundation|website=Wassermanfoundation.org|access-date=9 March 2022}}</ref> In June 2020, the "Partners" page of the foundation's website featured Casey Wasserman's name and photo with a quote: “The Wasserman Foundation has been a proud supporter of the Los Angeles Police Foundation and will continue to provide funding for years to come. In the wake of government budget cuts, I hope my fellow philanthropists will join us in providing funds for additional equipment needs.”<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-06-03|title=Los Angeles Police Foundation - Partners|url=https://www.supportlapd.org/who-we-are/partners|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603110516/https://www.supportlapd.org/who-we-are/partners|url-status=dead|archive-date=2020-06-03|access-date=2022-01-18}}</ref> The "Partners" page was removed from the foundation's website later that summer.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-09-22|title=Los Angeles Police Foundation - Who We Are|url=https://www.supportlapd.org/who-we-are/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922152306/https://www.supportlapd.org/who-we-are/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2020-09-22|access-date=2022-01-18}}</ref> |
|||
In 2016, Wasserman Media Group rebranded as Wasserman and is frequently referred to as "Team Wass".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thedrum.com/news/2016/02/17/wasserman-undergoes-rebrand-reflect-its-evolution-just-sports/|title=Wasserman undergoes rebrand to reflect its evolution from just sports}}</ref> In 2021, he acquired Paradigm Agency's music business.<ref>[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/paradigm-agrees-to-sell-music-division-to-wasserman-4077739/]</ref> In 2023, Wasserman bought legendary management production company, Brillstein Entertainment Partners.<ref>[https://variety.com/2023/film/news/wasserman-acquisition-brillstein-entertainment-partners-1235726005/]</ref> |
|||
Wasserman is a major Democratic Party donor, [[Clinton Foundation]] trustee, and [[LBJ Foundation]] trustee.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Burns|first=Tobias|date=2016-08-22|title=Casey Wasserman Mentioned in New Batch of Clinton Emails|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/casey-wasserman-mentioned-new-batch-921579/|access-date=2022-01-18|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Barnes|first=Brooks|date=2013-07-06|title=A Sports Agent With Hollywood in His Blood|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/07/business/a-sports-agent-with-hollywood-in-his-blood.html|access-date=2022-01-18|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Johnson|first=Ted|date=2016-10-13|title=Hillary Clinton's Final L.A. Campaign Fundraiser Will Be at Site Steeped in Hollywood-D.C. History|url=https://variety.com/2016/biz/news/hillary-clinton-fundraiser-casey-wasserman-lew-wasserman-1201888222/|access-date=2022-01-18|website=Variety|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Board of Trustees- LBJ Foundation {{!}} LBJ Presidential Library|url=https://www.lbjlibrary.org/foundation/board-of-trustees|access-date=2022-01-31|website=Lbjlibrary.org}}</ref> He donated to [[George W. Bush 2004 presidential campaign|President George W. Bush's 2004 re-election campaign]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bush-Cheney 04 (Primary) Individual Contribution|url=https://www.fec.gov/data/receipts/individual-contributions/?committee_id=C00386987&contributor_name=casey+wasserman|access-date=2022-01-18|website=Fec.gov|language=en}}</ref> |
|||
==LA 2028 Olympic Organizing Committee== |
|||
In September 2002, Casey Wasserman went on a philanthropic tour of [[Africa]] hosted by financier and convicted sex offender [[Jeffrey Epstein]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Stieb|first=Adam K. Raymond, Matt|date=2019-07-10|title=Jeffrey Epstein's Rolodex: A Guide to His Famous Friends and Acquaintances|url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2019/07/jeffrey-epsteins-rolodex-famous-friends-and-acquaintances.html|access-date=2021-12-30|website=Intelligencer|language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=2019-07-09|title=Jeffrey Epstein's sex plane, the Lolita Express, explained|url=https://www.newsweek.com/jeffrey-epstein-lolita-express-bill-clinton-flight-logs-1448367|access-date=2021-12-30|website=Newsweek|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |date=2003-03-01|title=The Talented Mr. Epstein|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2003/03/jeffrey-epstein-200303|access-date=2021-12-30|magazine=Vanity Fair|language=en-US}}</ref> Also on the trip were convicted sex trafficker [[Ghislaine Maxwell]], President [[Bill Clinton]], actor [[Kevin Spacey]] and others.<ref>{{cite web |last=Wang|first=Angela|title=We compiled every known flight made by Jeffrey Epstein's fleet of private planes. Search them all for the first time.|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/every-flight-made-by-jeffrey-epsteins-private-jets-2020-7|access-date=2021-12-29|website=Business Insider|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Landon Thomas Jr|date=2002-10-28|title=Jeffrey Epstein: International Moneyman of Mystery|url=https://nymag.com/nymetro/news/people/n_7912/|access-date=2021-12-30|website=New York Magazine|language=en-us}}</ref> Wasserman also appears in Epstein's "little black book" address book published by ''[[Gawker]]'' in 2015.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |last=Bryant|first=Nick|title=Here Is Pedophile Billionaire Jeffrey Epstein's Little Black Book|url=https://www.gawker.com/here-is-pedophile-billionaire-jeffrey-epsteins-little-b-1681383992|access-date=2021-12-30|website=Gawker|language=en}}</ref> |
|||
Casey Wasserman successfully led [[Los Angeles]]' [[Los Angeles bid for the 2024 Summer Olympics|bid]] for the [[2028 Summer Olympics]] and will head the city's Olympic organizing committee. |
|||
In 2015, the [[United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee|USOC]] selected Los Angeles as the American applicant for the [[2024 Summer Olympics]] after withdrawing [[Boston]]'s [[Boston bid for the 2024 Summer Olympics|bid]]. Wasserman commented: "We live in a democracy. The city and the council and the communities need to be engaged and supportive, otherwise we won't be successful regardless." In 2017, the IOC decided to award the hosts of both the 2024 and 2028 Summer Olympics. At the [[131st IOC Session]], [[Paris]] was selected to host the 2024 Summer Olympics, with Los Angeles being selected to host the 2028 Summer Olympics. The LA bid was praised by the IOC for using a record-breaking number of existing and temporary facilities and for relying entirely on corporate funding.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.olympic.org/news/ioc-makes-historic-decision-by-simultaneously-awarding-olympic-games-2024-to-paris-and-2028-to-los-angeles |title=IOC makes historic decision by simultaneously awarding Olympic Games 2024 to Paris and 2028 to Los Angeles |work=[[International Olympic Committee]] |date=September 13, 2017 |accessdate=October 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190717195141/https://www.olympic.org/news/ioc-makes-historic-decision-by-simultaneously-awarding-olympic-games-2024-to-paris-and-2028-to-los-angeles |archive-date=July 17, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1078621/los-angeles-2028-releases-privately-funded-balanced-budget-for-olympic-and-paralympic-games|title = Los Angeles 2028 releases "privately-funded, balanced budget" for Olympic and Paralympic Games}}</ref> |
|||
Casey Wasserman is on the Prize Advisory Board of the [[Robin Hood Foundation]], a venture philanthropy organization founded by [[Paul Tudor Jones]], [[Peter Borish]] and [[Glenn Dubin]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2016-10-09|title=Governance|url=https://www.robinhood.org/about-us/governance|url-status=live|access-date=2022-01-21|website=Robin Hood|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170628183824/https://www.robinhood.org/about-us/governance/ |archive-date=2017-06-28 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Cohan|first=William D.|date=September 4, 2019|title=For Billionaire Glenn Dubin, the Epstein Saga Isn't Over|magazine=Vanity Fair|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2019/09/glenn-dubin-epstein-questions|access-date=January 30, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Where Does The Jeffrey Epstein Child Sex Abuse Case Go From Here?|url=https://time.com/5651186/jeffrey-epstein-investigation-co-conspirators/|access-date=2022-01-30|magazine=Time|language=en}}</ref> |
|||
===Anti-racism and the International Olympic Committee=== |
|||
Wasserman is a member of the [[Los Angeles County Museum of Art]] (LACMA) board of trustees.<ref>{{Cite web|title=About LACMA|url=http://www.lacma.org/about|access-date=2022-01-31|website=LACMA|language=en}}</ref> |
|||
| ⚫ | On June 19, 2020, Wasserman reportedly wrote the [[International Olympic Committee]] (IOC) President Thomas Bach to advocate for changes to be made to the controversial Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter which states: "No kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Soshnick |first1=Scott |title=L.A. Olympic Chair Wasserman Asks IOC President to Repeal Rule That Bars Advocacy |url=https://www.sportico.com/leagues/other-sports/2020/casey-wasserman-ioc-president-letter-thomas-bach-1234610389/ |accessdate=31 July 2020 |publisher=Sportico |date=31 July 2020}}</ref> In the letter, Wasserman urged the IOC to amend the guidelines that support Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter to allow anti-racist advocacy on the Olympic stage and stated “Being anti-racist is not political.”<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wharton |first1=David |title=L.A. Olympic officials ask IOC to allow athlete protests |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/olympics/story/2020-07-31/la-olympic-officials-ask-ioc-allow-athlete-protests |accessdate=31 July 2020 |work=The Los Angeles Times |date=31 July 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Iveson |first1=Ali |title=Los Angeles 2028 chief Wasserman joins calls for Rule 50 to be amended |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1096899/casey-wasserman-rule-50 |accessdate=1 August 2020 |publisher=Inside the Games |date=1 August 2020}}</ref> |
||
President Bach refuted the suggestion in an [[op-ed]] for ''[[The Guardian]]'' titled "The Olympics are about diversity and unity, not politics and profit. Boycotts don't work, and athletes should be politically neutral."<ref>{{cite web |last=Bruton|first=Michelle|title=IOC President Thomas Bach: Olympics 'Are Not About Politics,' Athletes Should Be Politically Neutral At Games|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/michellebruton/2020/10/26/ioc-president-thomas-bach-olympics-are-not-about-politics-athletes-should-be-politically-neutral-at-games/|access-date=2022-01-08|website=Forbes|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Bach|first=Thomas|date=2020-10-23|title=The Olympics are about unity and diversity, not politics and profit. Boycotts don't work {{!}} Thomas Bach|url=http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/oct/24/the-olympics-are-about-diversity-and-unity-not-politics-and-profit-boycotts-dont-work-thomas-bach|access-date=2022-01-08|website=the Guardian|language=en}}</ref> |
|||
| ⚫ | |||
Casey Wasserman sits on boards of directors at the [[Motion Picture and Television Fund]] (MPTF) and [[Vox Media]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=About Us|url=https://mptf.com/about-us/|access-date=2022-01-31|website=MPTF|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Jarvey|first=Natalie|date=2014-12-10|title=Casey Wasserman Joins Vox Media Board of Directors (Exclusive)|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/casey-wasserman-joins-vox-media-755711/|access-date=2022-01-31|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en-US}}</ref> |
|||
| ⚫ | |||
Since 2015 Wasserman has been on the [[Activision Blizzard]] board of directors, where he serves as one of three members on the board's Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.activisionblizzard.com/content/atvi/activisionblizzard/ab-touchui/ab/web/en/board-of-directors.html|title=Activision Blizzard | Board of Directors|website=Activisionblizzard.com|access-date=9 March 2022}}</ref> The board has faced criticism for its support of [[chief executive officer]] [[Bobby Kotick]] following a sexual abuse scandal reported by ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' in November 2021, in which Kotick buried allegations of sexual abuse, including alleged rapes.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Needleman|first=Kirsten Grind, Ben Fritz and Sarah E.|date=2021-11-16|title=Activision CEO Bobby Kotick Knew for Years About Sexual-Misconduct Allegations at Videogame Giant|language=en-US|work=Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/activision-videogames-bobby-kotick-sexual-misconduct-allegations-11637075680|access-date=2022-01-30|issn=0099-9660}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Peters|first=Jay|date=2021-11-16|title=Activision Blizzard board rallies around embattled CEO hours after damning report|url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/11/16/22785776/activision-blizzard-board-statement-ceo-bobby-kotick|access-date=2022-01-30|website=The Verge|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Good|first=Owen S.|date=2021-11-19|title=Activision leadership now under fire from Xbox, PlayStation bosses|url=https://www.polygon.com/22791574/activision-sex-harassment-lawsuit-xbox-playstation-criticism-bobby-kotick|access-date=2022-01-30|website=Polygon|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Plunkett|first=Luke|date=November 17, 2021|title=Let's Meet The Board Members Supporting Besieged Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick|work=Kotaku|url=https://kotaku.com/lets-meet-the-board-members-supporting-besieged-activis-1848079283|access-date=January 30, 2022}}</ref> |
|||
Wasserman co-chaired a fundraiser for [[Hillary Clinton presidential campaign, 2016|Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign]] on August 22, 2016.<ref name="bhcourierhillaryclintonfundraisersmagicjohnson">{{cite news|title=Hillary Clinton Fundraisers Coming to Beverly Hills|url=http://bhcourier.com/beverly-hills-news-hillary-clinton-fundraisers-coming-to-beverly-hills/|accessdate=August 5, 2016|work=The Beverly Hills Courier|date=August 3, 2016|archive-date=February 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225041349/https://beverlyhillscourier.com/|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
|||
==Personal life== |
|||
In June 2020, Casey Wasserman sold his [[Beverly Hills, California|Beverly Hills]] home to media mogul [[David Geffen]] for $68 million, and in August 2020, Wasserman purchased a new home in the [[Hollywood Hills]] for $23.6 million.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Flemming|first=Jack|date=Aug 20, 2020|title=Casey Wasserman drops $23.6 million on a futuristic mansion in the Bird Streets|work=Los Angeles Times|url=https://www.latimes.com/business/real-estate/story/2020-08-20/casey-wasserman-drops-23-6-million-on-a-futuristic-mansion-in-the-bird-streets}}</ref> |
|||
On March 1, 2003, [[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] reported that Wasserman was among several other high profile attendees aboard [[Jeffrey Epstein]]'s Boeing 727, since dubbed the "[[Lolita Express]]", on a "mission to explore the problems of AIDS and economic development in Africa". Epstein was later revealed to have committed sex trafficking.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ward |first1=Vicky |title=The Talented Mr. Epstein |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2003/03/jeffrey-epstein-200303 |website=Vanity Fair |publisher=Condé Nast |access-date=12 August 2024}}</ref> |
|||
==See also== |
==See also== |
||
| Line 70: | Line 95: | ||
==External links== |
==External links== |
||
* [ |
* [https://www.espn.com/los-angeles/nfl/news/story?id=6057997 ESPN Casey Wasserman Story February 2011] |
||
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20021221183445/http://www.laavengers.com/aboutus_casey.php Avengers website bio (cached)] |
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20021221183445/http://www.laavengers.com/aboutus_casey.php Avengers website bio (cached)] |
||
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20030124191359/http://www.jsei.org/About/about_jules_cwasserman.htm Biography from Jules Stein Eye Institute] |
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20030124191359/http://www.jsei.org/About/about_jules_cwasserman.htm Biography from Jules Stein Eye Institute] |
||
| Line 89: | Line 114: | ||
[[Category:Living people]] |
[[Category:Living people]] |
||
[[Category:Arena Football League executives]] |
[[Category:Arena Football League executives]] |
||
[[Category: |
[[Category:American philanthropists]] |
||
[[Category:1974 births]] |
[[Category:1974 births]] |
||
[[Category:American sports agents]] |
[[Category:American sports agents]] |
||
Latest revision as of 22:19, 7 November 2024
Casey Wasserman | |
|---|---|
 Wasserman in 2020 | |
| President of the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee | |
| Assumed office February 5, 2018 | |
| Leader | Thomas Bach |
| Preceded by | Tony Estanguet (Paris 2024) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Casey Myers June 28, 1974 Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Spouse | Laura Ziffren |
| Relatives | Lew Wasserman (maternal grandfather) |
| Alma mater | University of California, Los Angeles |
| Occupation | Businessman, philanthropist |
Casey Wasserman (born Casey Myers; June 28, 1974) is an entertainment executive and sports agent executive who owned the now defunct Arena Football League team the Los Angeles Avengers. He headed the successful Los Angeles bid to host the 2028 Summer Olympics and became president of the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee.[1]
Family background and education
[edit]Casey Wasserman is the son of the Los Angeles socialite and philanthropist Lynne Wasserman and Jack Myers (formerly Meyerowitz), who are both Jewish. Wasserman's sister is comedian Carol Ann Leif.[2]
His parents were divorced and he took his mother's maiden name, which is also the last name of his famous grandfather, MCA studio executive Lew Wasserman, whom he credits as his greatest teacher. The two would have breakfast together every Saturday and Sunday from the time when Casey was a child until the elder Wasserman's death in 2002.[3] The younger Wasserman said, "He was my most valuable resource in terms of information. In broad terms he knew what he wanted to do and I followed in his footsteps."[4]
Wasserman obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA).[5] After graduation from UCLA, he worked as an investment banker.[5]
He is separated from movie music supervisor Laura Ziffren Wasserman, whose grandfather Paul Ziffren was a Democratic Party leader and chaired the Los Angeles 1984 Summer Olympics Organizing Committee.[6][7][8][9] They have two children.[10]
Arena Football
[edit]In 1998, Wasserman purchased the Los Angeles Avengers of the Arena Football League (AFL). He paid about $5 million for the franchise rights. Despite his youth, he was elected chairman of the league. In 2002 he negotiated a groundbreaking national television partnership between the league and NBC television, as well as the collective bargaining agreement with its players. On Saturday, April 18, 2009, Wasserman sent an email to AFL's de facto commissioner informing him of his decision to terminate the L.A. Avengers' membership in the Arena Football League.[11]
Wasserman (Agency)
[edit]The same year that he purchased the football team, Casey Wasserman started Wasserman (then-called Wasserman Media Group), a sports marketing and talent management company, of which he remains CEO.
In 2002, WMG acquired the sports marketing and naming-rights company Envision and the action sports marketing and representation firm The Familie, based in Carlsbad, California.
In 2004, WMG purchased 411 Productions and a few months later relaunched it as Studio 411, a sports entertainment film studio. The business was designed to provide financing, obtain sponsorships and arrange distribution in support of original productions.[12] The company also made an unsuccessful bid to sign up enough athletes in BMX, skateboarding and freestyle motocross to form PGA-like sanctioning bodies in those sports.[13]
In January 2006, WMG acquired the NBA and MLB sports agent business of Arn Tellem, a well-known sports agent who joined WMG as well. Several of Tellem's sports agent colleagues also joined the company as part of the deal.[14] Until he retired in June, 2015, Tellem was a principal at the company and ran one of its management groups.[15]
In November 2006, the company acquired soccer agency, SFX, in the UK.[16] Through that acquisition, WMG came to represent such players as Steven Gerrard, Robbie Keane, Jamie Carragher, Michael Owen, Tim Cahill, Jonathan Woodgate, Wes Brown, Scott Parker, Jack Wilshere, Park Ji-Sung, Shay Given, Tim Howard and Emile Heskey.
In June 2007, WMG expanded its consulting and media and property capabilities by purchasing Raleigh, North Carolina–based OnSport.[17]
In early 2011, WMG bought London-based media rights manager and advisory firm Reel Enterprises.[18]
That year WMG expanded its golf talent roster by acquiring SFX Golf in April 2011.[19]
In 2016, Wasserman Media Group rebranded as Wasserman and is frequently referred to as "Team Wass".[20] In 2021, he acquired Paradigm Agency's music business.[21] In 2023, Wasserman bought legendary management production company, Brillstein Entertainment Partners.[22]
LA 2028 Olympic Organizing Committee
[edit]Casey Wasserman successfully led Los Angeles' bid for the 2028 Summer Olympics and will head the city's Olympic organizing committee.
In 2015, the USOC selected Los Angeles as the American applicant for the 2024 Summer Olympics after withdrawing Boston's bid. Wasserman commented: "We live in a democracy. The city and the council and the communities need to be engaged and supportive, otherwise we won't be successful regardless." In 2017, the IOC decided to award the hosts of both the 2024 and 2028 Summer Olympics. At the 131st IOC Session, Paris was selected to host the 2024 Summer Olympics, with Los Angeles being selected to host the 2028 Summer Olympics. The LA bid was praised by the IOC for using a record-breaking number of existing and temporary facilities and for relying entirely on corporate funding.[23][24]
Anti-racism and the International Olympic Committee
[edit]On June 19, 2020, Wasserman reportedly wrote the International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach to advocate for changes to be made to the controversial Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter which states: "No kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas."[25] In the letter, Wasserman urged the IOC to amend the guidelines that support Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter to allow anti-racist advocacy on the Olympic stage and stated “Being anti-racist is not political.”[26][27]
President Bach refuted the suggestion in an op-ed for The Guardian titled "The Olympics are about diversity and unity, not politics and profit. Boycotts don't work, and athletes should be politically neutral."[28][29]
Political activities
[edit]Wasserman co-chaired a fundraiser for Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign on August 22, 2016.[30]
Personal life
[edit]On March 1, 2003, Vanity Fair reported that Wasserman was among several other high profile attendees aboard Jeffrey Epstein's Boeing 727, since dubbed the "Lolita Express", on a "mission to explore the problems of AIDS and economic development in Africa". Epstein was later revealed to have committed sex trafficking.[31]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Mullen, Liz (November 10, 2003). "Casey Wasserman". Sports Business Journal.
- ^ Dagan, Carmel (August 19, 2011). "Edie Wasserman dies at 95". Variety. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
- ^ Mullen, Liz (November 10, 2003). "Casey Wasserman". Sports Business Journal. Leaders Group.
- ^ "Casey Wasserman's L.A. story goes far beyond 2024 Olympic bid". Los Angeles Business Journal.
- ^ a b Street, Scott (April 27, 2006). "Back to his Roots". Dailt Bruin. Archived from the original on April 27, 2006.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ "Laura Ziffren". IMDb.
- ^ Johnson, Ted (October 13, 2016). "Hillary Clinton's Final L.A. Campaign Fundraiser Will Be at Site Steeped in Hollywood-D.C. History". Variety. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
- ^ Johnson, Ted; Patten, Dominic (September 5, 2020). "Kamala Harris' Big Hollywood Virtual Fundraiser Rakes In Big Big Bucks; Ryan Murphy, Dana Walden, Chrisette Hudlin, & Laura Shell Organized, Katzenberg & JJ Abrams Co-Hosted". Deadline. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
- ^ Reich, Kenneth (June 2, 1991). "Paul Ziffren, Democratic Power in State, Dies at 77 : Politics: He was credited with rebuilding the party in the '50s. He also was board chairman for '84 Olympics". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ "Laura Wasserman: From Hollywood to High Point Leaving a Los Angeles Legacy". Sidelines Magazine. June 21, 2016. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
- ^ Farmer, Sam (April 20, 2009). "Avengers to fold Arena Football League franchise". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ O'Brein, Sean (May 22, 2006). "Wasserman Launches Studio411 - Transworld Business Magazine". Transworld Business. Archived from the original on May 22, 2006.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ Lidz, Franz. "Extreme Dream Casey Wasserman, grandson of a legendary movie mogul, has become a force in action sports". SI.com.
- ^ "Wasserman Acquires Tellem Business; SFX Promotes Pelinka". www.sportsbusinessdaily.com.
- ^ Tellem, Arn. "Arn Tellem: Why I'm making the jump from sports agent to NBA front office". SI.com.
- ^ "Wasserman Media Group Acquires SFX Sports Group". www.prnewswire.co.uk. Wasserman Media Group.
- ^ "Wasserman Media Group Acquiring Gary Stevenson's OnSport". www.sportsbusinessdaily.com.
- ^ "US based Wasserman Media Group acquires the UK's rights manager and advisory firm Reel Enterprises". www.investinuk.net.
- ^ "Wasserman growth continues with SFX Golf purchase". April 12, 2011.
- ^ "Wasserman undergoes rebrand to reflect its evolution from just sports".
- ^ [1]
- ^ [2]
- ^ "IOC makes historic decision by simultaneously awarding Olympic Games 2024 to Paris and 2028 to Los Angeles". International Olympic Committee. September 13, 2017. Archived from the original on July 17, 2019. Retrieved October 4, 2019.
- ^ "Los Angeles 2028 releases "privately-funded, balanced budget" for Olympic and Paralympic Games".
- ^ Soshnick, Scott (July 31, 2020). "L.A. Olympic Chair Wasserman Asks IOC President to Repeal Rule That Bars Advocacy". Sportico. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
- ^ Wharton, David (July 31, 2020). "L.A. Olympic officials ask IOC to allow athlete protests". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
- ^ Iveson, Ali (August 1, 2020). "Los Angeles 2028 chief Wasserman joins calls for Rule 50 to be amended". Inside the Games. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
- ^ Bruton, Michelle. "IOC President Thomas Bach: Olympics 'Are Not About Politics,' Athletes Should Be Politically Neutral At Games". Forbes. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
- ^ Bach, Thomas (October 23, 2020). "The Olympics are about unity and diversity, not politics and profit. Boycotts don't work | Thomas Bach". the Guardian. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
- ^ "Hillary Clinton Fundraisers Coming to Beverly Hills". The Beverly Hills Courier. August 3, 2016. Archived from the original on February 25, 2022. Retrieved August 5, 2016.
- ^ Ward, Vicky. "The Talented Mr. Epstein". Vanity Fair. Condé Nast. Retrieved August 12, 2024.
